Enhanced prostaglandin production during fungal infection could be an important factor in promoting fungal colonization and chronic infection. Host cells are one source of prostaglandins; however, another potential source of prostaglandins is the fungal pathogen itself. Our objective was to determine if the pathogenic yeasts Cryptococcus neoformans and Candida albicans produce prostaglandins an...

Prostaglandins (PGs) are lipids produced enzymatically and nonenzymatically from 20 carbon fatty acids, particularly arachidonic acid. Prostaglandins and related metabolites (collectively referred to as eicosanoids), including the thromboxanes, prostacyclins, hydroperoxy and hydroxy fatty acids, and leukotrienes are produced by most tissues of the body by oxidation of arachidonic acid, although...

This review provides a summary and assessment of research involving renal prostaglandins. Arachidonic acid released from phospholipids is converted by prostaglandin cyclo-oxygenase in the kidney to PGF2, PGF2alpha, PGD2, and, possibly, to PGI2 and thromboxane A2. Production of PGE2 and PGF2alpha is predominately but not exclusively in the medulla, whereas degradative enzymes are present in both...

Recent reports have indicated that vascular responsiveness can be altered by exogenously administered or endogenously released prostaglandins. Furthermore, in certain tissues inhibitors of prostaglandin synthesis have been shown to limit the increase in blood flow in response to bradykinin and to enhance the reduction in blood flow in response to angiotensin and norepinephrine. These findings s...

We review the ways that prostaglandins might relate to clinical chemistry. Clinical aspects that are discussed include hypertensive diseases, disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, cancer, inflammation and fever, effects on platelets, the respiratory system and asthma, and reproduction. A survey of procedures for the storage, extraction, separation, and quantitation of the prostaglandins is a...

The possible role of prostaglandins (PGs) in thrombosis was determined by examining their effects in models of thrombosis which included platelet aggregation (in vitro), blood flow (in vivo) and thrombus formation (in vivo). It was found that blood flow and thrombosis can be effectively modulated by the various types of prostaglandins produced by the blood and the vascular tissue.

The biosynthesis of prostaglandins E2 and F2alpha as well as the catabolism of [9beta- 3H1]prostaglandin F2alpha by homogenates of whole brain from fetal and neonatal lambs was investigated. The biosynthetic measurements utilized the mass spectrometric deuterium isotope dilution-dual ion monitoring technique (Samulsson, B., Hamberg, M., and Sweeley, C.C. (1970) Anal. Biochem. 38, 301-304; Wolfe...

in this paper, a general introduction is given, presenting the overactive bladder syndrome (oab) and its impact on the quality of life and economical burden in patients affected. moreover, the anatomy, physiology and histology of the lower urinary tract are discussed, followed by a brief overview on the possible role of prostaglandin (pg) and phosphodiesterase type 5 (pde5) in the urinary bladd...

This paper reviews the role of prostaglandins (PGs) in cancer. Specific topics of discussion include: (1) the potential use of PGs as tumor markers, (2) PG mediation of hypercalcemia of cancer, and (3) the use of PG synthesis inhibitors in cancer therapy.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, autoimmune, and complex inflammatory disease leading to bone and cartilage destruction, whose cause remains obscure. Accumulation of genetic susceptibility, environmental factors, and dysregulated immune responses are necessary for mounting this self-reacting disease. Inflamed joints are infiltrated by a heterogeneous population of cellular and soluble me...