Which pathway produces leukotrienes?

Leukotrienes are a class of inflammatory mediators that are derived from the oxidation of arachidonic acid, which is released from cell membrane phospholipids. The production of leukotrienes specifically occurs through the lipoxygenase pathway. In this pathway, arachidonic acid is enzymatically converted by lipoxygenases into various leukotrienes, which play critical roles in mediating allergic responses, inflammation, and bronchoconstriction, among other physiological processes.

The cyclooxygenase pathway, on the other hand, primarily produces prostaglandins and thromboxanes, which are involved in different aspects of inflammation and hemostasis. Therefore, it does not contribute to the production of leukotrienes.

Understanding the distinct roles of these pathways is essential in biochemistry, particularly in the context of pharmacology and the treatment of inflammatory diseases, where specific inhibitors targeting these pathways (like NSAIDs for cyclooxygenase) are used to manipulate the production of their respective mediators.