Prostaglandin synthetase inhibitors. Drugs which affect arachidonic acid metabolism. 1979

B J Whittle

Drugs may alter prostaglandin production by acting on the various pathways of arachidonic acid metabolism. The liberation of arachidonic acid from membrane-bound phospholipids, induced by the enzyme phospholipase A2, may be inhibited by mepacrine and the steroidal anti-inflammatory agents. The bio-transformation of the free arachidonic acid, by the enzyme cyclooxygenase, to the unstable endoperoxide intermediates is inhibited by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents. Thus, the generation of all the prostaglandin products is prevented. This action can explain the anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic actions as well as the ulcerogenic properties of these aspirin-like compounds. An alternative metabolic pathway of arachidonic acid, via the lipoxygenase system, can be inhibited by an acetylenic analogue and a newer compound, phenidone. The unstable endoperoxide intermediates can be transformed by blood platelets into the pro-aggregating products, thromboxanes. This pathway can be selectively inhibited by a variety of experimental compounds. Prostacyclin, a potent vasodilator and inhibitor of platelet aggregation is the major product of endoperoxide transformation in blood vessels. Its formation can be inhibited by lipid peroxides. Selective actions on one or more steps in arachidonic acid metabolism can lead to a different profile of the products subsequently generated. Such a diversion of biosynthetic pathways may be an underlying mechanism in certain pathological conditions, perhaps even in dysmenorrhea.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D010740 Phospholipases A class of enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of phosphoglycerides or glycerophosphatidates. EC 3.1.-. Lecithinases,Lecithinase,Phospholipase
D011464 Epoprostenol A prostaglandin that is a powerful vasodilator and inhibits platelet aggregation. It is biosynthesized enzymatically from PROSTAGLANDIN ENDOPEROXIDES in human vascular tissue. The sodium salt has been also used to treat primary pulmonary hypertension (HYPERTENSION, PULMONARY). Prostacyclin,Prostaglandin I2,Epoprostanol,Epoprostenol Sodium,Epoprostenol Sodium Salt, (5Z,9alpha,11alpha,13E,15S)-Isomer,Flolan,Prostaglandin I(2),Veletri
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D000893 Anti-Inflammatory Agents Substances that reduce or suppress INFLAMMATION. Anti-Inflammatory Agent,Antiinflammatory Agent,Agents, Anti-Inflammatory,Agents, Antiinflammatory,Anti-Inflammatories,Antiinflammatories,Antiinflammatory Agents,Agent, Anti-Inflammatory,Agent, Antiinflammatory,Agents, Anti Inflammatory,Anti Inflammatories,Anti Inflammatory Agent,Anti Inflammatory Agents
D001095 Arachidonic Acids Eicosatetraenoic Acids,Acids, Arachidonic,Acids, Eicosatetraenoic
D013928 Thromboxane A2 An unstable intermediate between the prostaglandin endoperoxides and thromboxane B2. The compound has a bicyclic oxaneoxetane structure. It is a potent inducer of platelet aggregation and causes vasoconstriction. It is the principal component of rabbit aorta contracting substance (RCS). Rabbit Aorta Contracting Substance,A2, Thromboxane
D013929 Thromboxane B2 A stable, physiologically active compound formed in vivo from the prostaglandin endoperoxides. It is important in the platelet-release reaction (release of ADP and serotonin). B2, Thromboxane
D016859 Lipoxygenase Inhibitors Compounds that bind to and inhibit that enzymatic activity of LIPOXYGENASES. Included under this category are inhibitors that are specific for lipoxygenase subtypes and act to reduce the production of LEUKOTRIENES. 5-Lipoxygenase Inhibitor,Lipoxygenase Inhibitor,12-Lipoxygenase Inhibitors,15-Lipoxygenase Inhibitors,5-Lipoxygenase Inhibitors,Arachidonate 12-Lipoxygenase Inhibitors,Arachidonate 15-Lipoxygenase Inhibitors,Arachidonate 5-Lipoxygenase Inhibitors,Inhibitors, Lipoxygenase,12 Lipoxygenase Inhibitors,12-Lipoxygenase Inhibitors, Arachidonate,15 Lipoxygenase Inhibitors,15-Lipoxygenase Inhibitors, Arachidonate,5 Lipoxygenase Inhibitor,5 Lipoxygenase Inhibitors,5-Lipoxygenase Inhibitors, Arachidonate,Arachidonate 12 Lipoxygenase Inhibitors,Arachidonate 15 Lipoxygenase Inhibitors,Arachidonate 5 Lipoxygenase Inhibitors,Inhibitor, 5-Lipoxygenase,Inhibitor, Lipoxygenase,Inhibitors, 12-Lipoxygenase,Inhibitors, 15-Lipoxygenase,Inhibitors, 5-Lipoxygenase,Inhibitors, Arachidonate 12-Lipoxygenase,Inhibitors, Arachidonate 15-Lipoxygenase,Inhibitors, Arachidonate 5-Lipoxygenase
D016861 Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors Compounds or agents that combine with cyclooxygenase (PROSTAGLANDIN-ENDOPEROXIDE SYNTHASES) and thereby prevent its substrate-enzyme combination with arachidonic acid and the formation of eicosanoids, prostaglandins, and thromboxanes. Cyclo-Oxygenase Inhibitor,Cyclooxygenase Inhibitor,Prostaglandin Endoperoxide Synthase Inhibitor,Prostaglandin Endoperoxide Synthase Inhibitors,Prostaglandin Synthase Inhibitor,Prostaglandin Synthase Inhibitors,Prostaglandin Synthesis Antagonist,Prostaglandin Synthesis Antagonists,Cyclo-Oxygenase Inhibitors,Inhibitors, Cyclo-Oxygenase,Inhibitors, Cyclooxygenase,Inhibitors, Prostaglandin Synthase,Inhibitors, Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthase,Antagonist, Prostaglandin Synthesis,Antagonists, Prostaglandin Synthesis,Cyclo Oxygenase Inhibitor,Cyclo Oxygenase Inhibitors,Inhibitor, Cyclo-Oxygenase,Inhibitor, Cyclooxygenase,Inhibitor, Prostaglandin Synthase,Inhibitors, Cyclo Oxygenase,Inhibitors, Prostaglandin Endoperoxide Synthase,Synthase Inhibitor, Prostaglandin,Synthesis Antagonist, Prostaglandin

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