Biochemical and clinical effects of treating the premenstrual syndrome with prostaglandin synthesis precursors.
The clinical and biochemical effects of a prostaglandin synthesis precursor (Efamol) containing linoleic acid and its metabolite, gamma-linolenic acid, were studied in 30 women with severe, incapacitating premenstrual syndrome. Efamol treatment alleviated the premenstrual symptoms in general and depression especially better than did a placebo. The capacity of platelets to release thromboxane B2 during spontaneous clotting was decreased in patients undergoing Efamol treatment (141 +/- 59 ng/ml, mean +/- SD) as compared to those undergoing placebo treatment (186 +/- 44 ng/ml, p less than 0.01) and control subjects (176 +/- 40 ng/ml, n = 25, p less than 0.05). No changes were found in plasma 6-keto-prostaglandin F1alpha or in FSH, LH, prolactin, progesterone, estradiol and testosterone. The data suggest that prostaglandins might play a role in the pathophysiology of the premenstrual syndrome.
D015121:6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha / Q000097:blood; D005228:Fatty Acids, Essential; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008041:Linoleic Acids; D031665:Oenothera biennis; D010938:Plant Oils; D011293:Premenstrual Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013577:Syndrome; D013929:Thromboxane B2 / Q000097:blood; D017965:gamma-Linolenic Acid
D005228:Fatty Acids, Essential; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D008041:Linoleic Acids; D010938:Plant Oils; C028498:evening primrose oil; D013929:Thromboxane B2; D015121:6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha; D017965:gamma-Linolenic Acid