Human urine was analyzed by mass spectrometry for the presence of prostaglandins. Prostaglandin E2 and F2alpha were detected in urine from females by selected ion monitoring of the prostaglandin E2-methylester-methoxime bis-acetate and the prostaglandin F2alpha-methyl ester-Tris-trimethylsilylether derivative. Additional evidence for the presence of prostaglandin F2alpha was obtained by isolati...

Prostanoid receptors (nomenclature as agreed by the NC-IUPHAR Subcommittee on Receptors [694]) are activated endogenous ligands prostaglandins PGD2, PGE1, PGE2 , PGF2α, PGH2, prostacyclin [PGI2] and thromboxane A2. Differences similarities between human rodent prostanoid receptor orthologues, their specific roles in pathophysiologic conditions reviewed [448]. Measurement of potency PGI2 A2 is h...

Studies on the lipoxygenation of arachidonic acid by various enzymes have been carried out using diverse approaches. A mechanistic picture of this reaction has been developed which both correlates known information and assists in the rational design of new lipoxygenase inhibitors. A working hypothesis is advanced for the biosynthesis of prostaglandins in mammalian systems. An entirely different...

1. The capacity of various tissues of the porcine kidney to convert [1-14C]arachidonic acid into radiolabelled prostaglandins was studied. 2. Only after removal from the cortical matrix, were renal blood vessels able to convert arachidonic acid into prostaglandins (primarily prostacyclin). In contrast, convoluted tubules showed a low capacity to metabolize arachidonic acid. 3. The failure to de...

Prostaglandins have been known for a long time to have a vaso-active action. The recent discovery that prostacycline or thromboxane A2 have a greater vascular action than the prostaglandins suggests that these substances may have a physiological or pathological role, for example in endotoxin shock, anaphylaxis, coronary thrombosis, chronic hypertension, etc. The discovery of the leukotrienes an...

Prostaglandins produced in cerebral endothelial cells (CECs) are the final signal transduction mediators from the periphery to the brain during fever response. However, prostaglandins are organic anions at physiological pH, and they enter cells poorly using simple diffusion. Several transporters have been described that specifically transport prostaglandins across cell membranes. We examined th...

The nitric oxide (NO) and cyclooxygenase (COX) pathways share a number of similarities. Nitric oxide is the mediator generated from the NO synthase (NOS) pathway, and COX converts arachidonic acid to prostaglandins, prostacyclin, and thromboxane A(2). Two major forms of NOS and COX have been identified to date. The constitutive isoforms critically regulate several physiological states. The indu...

During the last 25 years prostaglandins and, more recently, leukotrienes have commanded increasing interest in the field of medical research. The identification of these substances as potent local hormones which contribute to many physiological and pathological processes has made them the target for potential new therapies. An understanding of the origin of prostaglandins and leukotrienes has l...

On passage through the lung vascular bed, prostaglandins are removed from the circulation by a transport carrier and subsequently inactivated by intracellular enzymes. However, PGI2 is not inactivated by the lung in vivo. Although PGI2 is an excellent substrate for the intracellular enzymes in vitro, PGI2 is not a substrate for the carrier system. Thus, the transport carrier determines which ci...

Dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation), which can be primary or secondary, is a common gynecological problem. Primary dysmenorrhea (normal gynecological finding) is caused by increased production of uterine prostaglandins. Namely, under the influence of hormonal changes and vegetative factors at the end of a menstrual cycle, in numerous girls and women with a normal gynecological finding, vasocons...