prostaglandins - notes Flashcards
prostaglandins
active principle in human serum that induced rhythmic contraction and relaxation of myometrium
produced in highest concentration in seminal vesicles
metabolic products of unsaturated membrane FA
eicosanoids
metabolic products of unsaturated membrane FA (the 20-carbon eicosaenoic acids)
includes prostaglandins, leukotrienes, thromboxanes
produced by virtually all cells
synthesized and released in response to inflammatory, mechanical, neurological, or hormonal stimuli
degraded by dehydrogenase enzymes, most effectively in lung
short half lives so local - autocrine or paracrine
nomeclature of eicosanoids
letters designate ring structure
numbers denote number of double bonds - important for receptor binding and function
receptors for eicosanoids
usually g-protein coupled
specific for each eicosanoid - each can have multiple
production of eicosanoids
produced by virtually all cells
different cells make different ones
precursors = unsaturated membrane FA, primarily arachidonic acid
stimuli activate phospholipase A2 family => release of membrane FA (eicosaenoic acids)
prostaglandins and thromboxanes are formed via cyclooxygenase (COX) pathways
leukotrienes produced via enzyme 5-lipoxygenase
lipoxins products of 5, 12, adn 15- lipoxygenases
cyclooxygenase (COX)
makes prostaglandins and thromboxanes
5-lipoxygenase
makes leukotrienes and lipoxins
5-, 12- and 15-lipoxygenases
make lipoxins
inflammatory signals and eicosanoids
inflammatory signals induce expression of COX-2
activate phopholipase A2 in many cell types
=> eicosanoid production at sites of inflammation
eicosanoids and pain
hyperalgesic - don’t produce pain directly, but increase tissue sensitivity to other stimuli
e-protaglandins
induce hyperalgesia via EP4
eicosanoids and edema
enhance the edema caused by bradykinin, histamine, adn teh C5a anaphylaatoxin
cox-2
makes prostaglandins
eicosanoids and immune response
contribute to leukocyte activation and chemostaxis
e.g.: LTB4 is chemotaxic for both T cells and PMNs
eicosanoids in asthma
cysteinyl leukotrienes induce abnormalities in asthma
eg cysLTs; LTC4; D4; E4
1: induce SM contraction and protracted bronchoconstriction
2: promote microvascular permeability, bronchovascular leakage, mucous secretion
3: promote leukocyte infiltration and production of proinflammatory cytokines
therefore 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors and leukotriene receptor anatagonists are effective anti-asthma drugs