What are eikosanoids?
Eikosanoids are an extremely complex group of organic molecules that have a number of functions in the body. They come from fatty acids, they are signaling molecules with a short half -life that control a number of different paths. Eikosanoid families include prostaglandins, prostacyclins, thromboxans and leukotrienes, each with more compound series of compounds. Depending on which molecules are produced, they can cause inflammation or reduce it. Drugs that affect the production of eicosanoids include non -steroidal anti -inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin and ibuprofen, along with the adrenal steroids.
Eikosanoid production begins with the acceptance of an extracellular signal in specific sensing as a receptor. This activates the cell membrane enzyme called phospholipase , which breaks down a specific fatty acid. This is one step that have common eikosanoids. Generated fatty acid is a 20-carbon polyunsaturated fatty acid, often arachidonic acid . These compoundsAnd it is one of the essential fatty acids that must be obtained externally from food. Cyclooxygenase (COX) is a family of enzymes that produce prostaglandins, prostacyclins and thromboxans - together as prostanoids . Alternatively, the lipoxygenase family can transform arachidonic acid to form leukotriens.
other molecules, except for arachidonic acid, can be oxygenated to form eicosanoids. This process is influenced by the dietary amount of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids. Both fatty acid groups are necessary fatty acids, but can be divided into two categories. For example, arachidonic acid belongs to the Omega-6 group. Products of these NT acid differences differ in their number of double bonds and have very different physiological effects.
eicosanoids produced from arachidonic acid tend to promote inflammation. On the other hand, those from the groupOmega-3 tends to either cause minor inflammation or prevent it, depending on the molecule created. There is evidence that increased fatty omega-3 acids in the diet promote good cardiovascular health and help reduce triglycerides levels.
various eicosanoids are involved in many different aspects of mammal physiology. Among other things, they help regulate blood pressure, modulate the immune system and affect blood clotting. For example, the reason many people use aspirin daily is to inhibit a specific thromboxne from stimulating blood clotting, reducing the chances of a heart attack.
Because inflammation can cause painful symptoms in some diseases such as arthritis, eicosanoid synthesis inhibitors have been used to block production of eicosanoid molecules. Pharmaceutical inhibitors focused on blocking prostaglandin and leukotrien activities. Perhaps the most famous inhibitors of eikosanoid production are those that inhibit cox activity, inhibiting prostaglandin production.
, however, there are two different types of Cox, while Cox-1 products are vital to functions such as gastric lining protection. Cox-2 products are responsible for painful inflammation. NSAIDs, such as Aspirin, block COX-1 and COX-2 activities and can cause peptic ulcers.
have been developed specific types of COX-2 inhibitors, but there are concerns about side effects such as increased tendency to stroke and heart attack. Alternative anti -inflammatory drugs are adrenal steroids . These block the activity of one of the key phospholipases in the early stages of eicosanoid biosynthesis, thus inhibiting the production of a number of eikosanoids. This is the main reason why steroid treatment can cause so many dangerous side effects.
leukotriens also cause inflammation. Pharmaceutical drugs for blocking leukotrieins from binding to their specific signaling areas have been developed. Medicines such as ZAFIRULUKAST AND MONTELUKAST HELP IN TREATING DISEAPERS such as rheumatoid arthritis and asthma that often includeinflammation. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning against potential neuropsychiatric problems with the use of these drugs.