what are leukotrienes

[uk-hipster]

Hi all i would like to know if any1 can tell me what leukotrienes are in plain english i state i do not what some1 to look on web and state findings rather some1 who knows tell me i have looked and find the information hard to understand.

[Clanad]

If you are an asthma sufferer, you know that each attack has a number of symptoms.  Primary among these is constriction of the bronchial muscles and secretion of mucous.  It's known that leukotrienes are contibutors to these and other allergy symptoms.  They are produced by a specialized cell called mast cells.  Studies are on-going to fully understand the processes by which they promote such symptoms.  A friend, who is a drug salesman, tells me new studies are actively underway to determine the effectiveness of these new classes of anti-leukotriene agents.  Previously, treatment was acheived through steroids... Let's hope this meets your criteria for an explanation...