What are prostaglandins? How are they involved in inflammation?
15th September 1998 Prostaglandins belong to a family of chemical messengers that have been studied intensively over the last 15-20 years. Prostaglandins were first identified in semen, and received their name because at that time they were thought to originate from the prostate gland. However, we now know that the prostaglandins in semen are synthesised mainly by the seminal vesicles, and the prostate makes only a small contribution. Furthermore, it has been discovered that prostaglandins are produced in almost all tissues of the body, and are ubiquitous messenger molecules with a variety of actions. They are fatty acids synthesised from arachidonic acid (a long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid), and have been classified into groups from prostaglandin A to prostaglandin I according to structural variations in the five-carbon ring at one end of the molecule. There is further subdivision based on the number of double-bonds in the two side chains. Prostaglandins are paracrine secretions
Related Questions
- I have heard that inflammation is involved in diseases like heart disease, Alzheimer’s, and various cancers. Can Anti-Oxidants help with these serious health concerns?
- I have heard that inflammation is involved in diseases like heart disease, Alzheimer’s, and various cancers. Can antioxidants help with these serious health concerns?
- What are prostaglandins? How are they involved in inflammation?
