Prostaglandins and leukotrienes as inflammatory mediators
Oxidative metabolism of arachidonic acid is increased in inflamed tissues. There are two principal enzyme pathways of arachidonic acid oxygenation involved in inflammatory processes, the cyclo-oxygenase which produces prostaglandins (PGs) and the 5-lipoxygenase which produces leukotrienes (LTs). Of...
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Veröffentlicht in: | British medical bulletin 1987-04, Vol.43 (2), p.285-296 |
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Sprache: | eng |
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Zusammenfassung: | Oxidative metabolism of arachidonic acid is increased in inflamed tissues. There are two principal enzyme pathways of arachidonic acid oxygenation involved in inflammatory processes, the cyclo-oxygenase which produces prostaglandins (PGs) and the 5-lipoxygenase which produces leukotrienes (LTs). Of the various cyclooxygenase products formed during inflammation, PGE2 and prostacyelin are the most important. These products are both potent vasodilator and hyperalgesic agents and since they have been detected at sites of inflammation it is believed that they contribute to the erythema, oedema and pain which are characteristic of the inflammatory response. Prostaglandin E2 is also a powerful pyrogenic substance. The selective inhibition of cyclo-oxygenase by non-steroid aspirin-like drugs explains the anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anti-pyretic activity of this class of drug. Of the leukotrienes, LTB4 is the strongest candidate as an inflammatory mediator. It is one of the most potent leukotactic substances known and its presence in inflamed tissues could represent a local control mechanism for the accumulation of inflammatory leukocytes. It is possible that inhibitors of the synthesis of leukotrienes could be useful therapeutic agents. |
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ISSN: | 0007-1420 1471-8391 |
DOI: | 10.1093/oxfordjournals.bmb.a072183 |