The regulation of prostaglandin E1 formation: a candidate for one of the fundamental mechanisms involved in the actions of vitamin C.
Vitamin C stimulates the formation of PGE1 in human platelets. The effect occurs over the physiologically relevant range of concentrations. PGE1 is required for T lymphocyte function and plays a major part in the regulation of immune responses. PGE1 is also important in the regulation of collagen and ground substance metabolism, in cholesterol metabolism and in regulation of responsiveness to insulin. It is proposed that defective formation of PGE1 could account for many of the features of scurvy and for many of the reported therapeutic effects of vitamin C. If correct, vitamin C will be of value only in conjunction with an adequate supply of dihomogammalinolenic acid, the precursor of PGE1. Essential fatty acids, pyridoxine and zinc are all required to achieve this.
D000818:Animals; D001095:Arachidonic Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001206:Ascorbic Acid Deficiency / Q000150:complications; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000378:metabolism; D002415:Cats; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000209:etiology; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008042:Linolenic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D010974:Platelet Aggregation / Q000187:drug effects; D011458:Prostaglandins E / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000172:deficiency; D012472:Salivation; D012614:Scurvy / Q000378:metabolism; D012859:Sjogren's Syndrome / Q000209:etiology; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical
D001095:Arachidonic Acids; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans; D008042:Linolenic Acids; D011458:Prostaglandins E; D003094:Collagen; D002784:Cholesterol; D001205:Ascorbic Acid