title: Eicosanoids: a short review.
abstract: The biochemical reactions leading to the formation of eicosanoid compounds are reviewed. Arachidonic acid and similar homologous polyunsaturated acids are shown to be important precursors of these compounds. The partitioning of precursors between the cyclo-oxygenase and lipoxygenase enzyme systems leads to the prostanoid/thromboxane/prostacyclin and leukotriene families groups are reviewed. The mechanism of action of the prostacyclin group is briefly discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, Republic of South Africa.
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Van der Walt
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002621:Chemistry; D004537:Eicosanoic Acids / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D004537:Eicosanoic Acids