What Are the Medical Uses of Prostaglandins?

Physiological name. It is a kind of unsaturated fatty acid with physiological activity. It is widely distributed in various tissues and fluids of the body. It was first obtained from human semen extraction. The basic structure of prostaglandin (PG) is prostanoic acid. Natural prostaglandins contain 20 carbon carboxylic acids and hydroxy fatty acids, and their chemical structures and nomenclature are derived from the molecule of forprostanic acid.

Physiological name. It is a kind of unsaturated fatty acid with physiological activity. It is widely distributed in various tissues and fluids of the body. It was first obtained from human semen extraction. The basic structure of prostaglandin (PG) is prostanoic acid. Natural prostaglandins contain 20 carbon carboxylic acids and hydroxy fatty acids, and their chemical structures and nomenclature are derived from the molecule of forprostanic acid.

Chinese name

Prostaglandin

English name

prostaglandin

Chemical formula

C20H32O5

Molecular weight

352.47

CAS Registry Number

363-24-6

Chemical properties

Fatty acid derivatives

The main function

Local effect

Prostaglandin physiological function

Prostaglandins bind to specific receptors and play a key role in mediating a series of cellular activities such as cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis, as well as regulating female reproductive function and delivery, platelet aggregation, and cardiovascular system balance. In addition, prostaglandins are also involved in the pathological processes of inflammation, cancer, and various cardiovascular diseases.

Prostaglandin anabolic pathway

Prostaglandins are a class of lipid mediators produced by the enzymatic metabolism of icosaturated fatty acid arachidonic acid. Arachidonic acid is catalyzed by phospholipase A2 (PLA2) to release phospholipids through cell membranes under various physiological and pathological stimuli. Prostaglandin H synthase (PGHS), also known as cyclooxygenase, COX) is converted into prostaglandin intermediate metabolites PPG2 and PGH2 in turn under the action of epoxidation and peroxidative activity, and then metabolized by various downstream prostaglandin synthetases to produce various biologically active prostaglandins, including PGI2, PGE2, PGF2, PGD2, and thromboxane A2 (ThromboxaneA2, TxA2) [10]. COX is a key enzyme in the prostaglandin synthesis process. There are two isoforms of COX-1 and COX-2, which exist as homodimers or heterodimers on the endoplasmic reticulum membrane and nuclear membrane. . COX-1 and COX-2 are both functionally different and related to each other, and are involved in maintaining prostaglandin synthesis during homeostasis and inflammation. Prostaglandin synthetases include PGI2 synthetase, PGE2 synthetase, PGF2 synthase, PGD2 synthetase, and TxA2 synthetase (PGIS, PGES, PGFS, PGDS, TxS), which are responsible for the synthesis of PGI2, PGE2, PGF2, PGD2, and TxA2, respectively.

The half-life of prostaglandins is very short, so prostaglandins are quickly released outside the cells after synthesis, and they work in an autocrine or paracrine manner by binding to membrane receptors near their production site. Each prostaglandin has a specific receptor, and all prostaglandin receptors have been cloned. They belong to the transmembrane G protein-coupled receptor family.

Relationship between prostaglandins and cardiovascular disease

(A) Atherosclerosis:

Atherosclerosis is a chronic vascular inflammatory disease, characterized by thickening of the arterial wall, and is particularly prominent in the coronary arteries of the heart. Vascular endothelial function damage is considered to be a trigger for atherosclerosis. Increased plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, increased free oxygen free radicals caused by smoking, hypertension, diabetes, and other genetic factors can cause vascular endothelial function damage and cause atherosclerosis. PGI2 and TxA2 are the main prostaglandins of the cardiovascular system and are produced by vascular endothelial cells and platelets, respectively. They have opposite effects on blood vessels and platelets: PGI2 induces vasodilation and inhibits platelet aggregation; TxA2 induces vasoconstriction and is a strong platelet agonist. The balance between PGI2 and TxA2 is a key factor determining the homeostasis of the cardiovascular system.

(Two) thrombotic diseases:

Arterial thrombosis caused by unstable or ruptured plaque caused by atherosclerosis is a clinical syndrome that seriously threatens human health. Platelet activation is the central link of thrombosis. Prostaglandins TxA2 and PGI2 play an important role in regulating platelet activation and are therefore closely related to arterial thrombosis.