Cysteinyl-leukotrienes (cys-LTs) are potent smooth muscle contracting agents, which play key roles in inflammatory and allergic diseases. The committed step in cys-LT biosynthesis is catalyzed by leukotriene C(4) synthase (LTC4S) as well as microsomal glutathione S-transferase type 2 (MGST2) and type 3 (MGST3). Here we report that intraperitoneal injections of lipopolysaccharide in rats lead to a strong increase of LTC4S messenger RNA (mRNA) levels after approximately 1 h, particularly in the heart, brain, adrenal glands and liver, without any significant effect on MGST2 and MGST3 mRNA levels. After 6 h, LTC4S mRNA returns to basal levels, concomitant with a 4.9-, 4.0-, 2.9- and 2.3-fold induction of LTC4S protein in brain, heart, liver and adrenal gland, respectively. Hence, challenge with lipopolysaccharide in vivo causes an organ-selective, local priming for leukotriene C(4) synthesis. Moreover, these data suggest that LTC4S and cys-LTs may be involved in acute systemic inflammatory responses such as fever and tachycardia.