The activity of natural 5,6-Dihydroxy-eicosatetraenoic acid (5,6-DiHETE; 2 isomers), 5S,15S-DiHETE, 8S,15S-DiHETE, 5S,12S-DiHETE, delta 6-trans-leukotriene B4, 12-epi-delta 6-trans-leukotriene B4, omega-hydroxy-leukotriene B4, omega-carboxy-leukotriene B4, 15S-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15S-HETE), 12S-HETE, 5S-HETE and 12S-hydroxy-heptadecatrienoic acid was compared to LTB4 on the guinea-pig lung parenchymal strip and on the release of prostaglandins and thromboxanes by the perfused guinea-pig lungs. The omega-hydroxy-LTB4 appeared more potent than LTB4 both for inducing a contraction and for releasing prostanoids whereas the omega-carboxy-LTB4 was much less active on the parenchyma and did not release prostanoids at the dose used. All other hydroxy acids tested were either very weakly active or inactive in the two systems used with the exception of the 5,6-DiHETEs which showed significant activity. These di-hydroxy acids induced contractions of the lung parenchymal strip which could be blocked by FPL-55712 but were inactive on the guinea-pig ileum. The 5S-HETE, 12S-HETE and 15S-HETE were also tested for possible myotropic activity on selected smooth muscle preparations. Our results provide further informations on the structural requirements for LTB4 (and other hydroxy acids) actions on the guinea-pig lungs.