Urine leukotriene B4 in familial Mediterranean fever 

A.G. Bentancur¹, N. Naveh^2,5, J. Lancri¹, B.-A. Selah^3,5, A. Livneh⁴

Emergency Medicine Department¹, Department of Ophthalmology², Department of Chemical Pathology³, and the Heller Institute of Medical Research⁴, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer; and the Sackler Faculty of Medicine⁵, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Israel.

ABSTRACT
Objective
To determine urinary leukotriene B4 (LTB4) levels and their role in FMF. 

Methods
Urinary LTB4 levels were studied using a commercial ELISA kit in 12 FMF patients during abdominal attacks, and 20 FMF patients during remission. 

Results
Urinary LTB4 levels in FMF patients during attacks were comparable to those during remission, but higher than normal levels (p = 0.03). 

Conclusions
These findings suggest a persistent activation of the leukotriene pathway in FMF. Whether elevated LTB4 levels are the cause or the effect of inflammation is yet to be determined.

Key words
FMF, inflammation, leukotriene B4, pyrin, arachidonic acid, cytochrome P450, lipoxygenase.

Please address correspondence to: Avi Livneh, MD, Heller Institute of Medical Research Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer 52621, Israel. 
E-mail: alivneh@post.tau.ac.il

Clin Exp Rheumatol 2004; 22 (Suppl. 34): S56-S58.
© Copyright Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology 2004.