Research on Prostaglandins in London,
Abstract
One of the striking developments in biology over the past few years has been the emergence of a group of highly potent compounds, termed prostaglandins. These compounds offer a challenge to the endocrinologist because they are present in most tissue and can be readily synthesized and released by simple physiological procedures. However, no diseases due to inadequate prostaglandin synthesis or metabolism have as yet been identified. The combination of high biological activity and wide spectrum of pharmacological actions make the study of prostaglandins disconcerting. Recent observations by English investigators have demonstrated the role of prostaglandins in the inflammatory response in man. Greaves, Sondergaard, and McDonald-Gibson have reported recovery of the prostaglandins, PGE and PGF compounds, in human cutaneous inflammation. Vane and his collaborators reported in the June 23, 1971 issue of Nature that aspirin-like drugs (indomethacin, sodium acetylsalicylate, and sodium salicylate) inhibit prostaglandin synthesis. By using aspirin-like drugs the biologist can prevent prostaglandin synthesis and release and, in this way, assess the functions of prostaglandins in individual cells or tissues, or in the body as a whole. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 23, 1971
- Accession Number
- AD0731727
Entities
People
- C. R. Valeri
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research