Leukotriene B4 (LTB4) is a
leukotriene involved in
inflammation. It has been shown to promote insulin resistance in obese mice.
Biochemistry
Leukotriene B4 (LTB4) is a
leukotriene involved in
inflammation. It is produced from
leukocyte
White blood cells, also called leukocytes or leucocytes, are the cells of the immune system that are involved in protecting the body against both infectious disease and foreign invaders. All white blood cells are produced and derived from mult ...
s in response to inflammatory mediators and is able to induce the adhesion and activation of leukocytes on the
endothelium, allowing them to bind to and cross it into the tissue.
In
neutrophils, it is also a potent
chemoattractant
Chemotaxis (from '' chemo-'' + ''taxis'') is the movement of an organism or entity in response to a chemical stimulus. Somatic cells, bacteria, and other single-cell or multicellular organisms direct their movements according to certain chemical ...
, and is able to induce the formation of
reactive oxygen species and the release of
lysosomal enzymes by these cells.
It is synthesized by
leukotriene-A4 hydrolase from
leukotriene A4.
Diabetes
A study at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine has shown that leukotriene B4 promotes insulin resistance in obese mice. Obesity is the major cause of type 2 diabetes insulin resistance.
References
Eicosanoids
{{biochemistry-stub