Arachidonate lipoxygenase pathway (LOX pathway)

The arachidonate lipoxygenase (LOX) pathway is a critical metabolic system responsible for converting arachidonic acid, a polyunsaturated fatty acid released from cell membrane phospholipids, into a variety of bioactive lipid mediators known as eicosanoids. This pathway involves several key enzymes, primarily 5-lipoxygenase (ALOX5), 12-lipoxygenase (ALOX12), and 15-lipoxygenase (ALOX15), which catalyze the production of leukotrienes, lipoxins, and hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids (HETEs). These metabolites are essential regulators of inflammation, bronchoconstriction, and immune cell recruitment. Dysregulation of the LOX pathway is heavily implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory diseases such as asthma and allergic rhinitis, as well as in cardiovascular diseases and certain cancers. Pharmacological targeting of this pathway typically involves the use of direct enzyme inhibitors, such as zileuton, or receptor antagonists that block the effects of the pathway's downstream products like leukotrienes.

Other names

Lipoxygenase pathwayLOX pathwayArachidonic acid lipoxygenase metabolismAA-LOX pathwayArachidonate:oxygen oxidoreductase pathway

Inhibition of lipoxygenase enzymes (primarily 5-LOX) to block the conversion of arachidonic acid into pro-inflammatory leukotrienes, and antagonism of specific leukotriene receptors (e.g., CysLT1) to prevent downstream inflammatory signaling.