Eicosanoids as bioregulators in clinical medicine.
Formation of eicosanoids in stimulated cells and tissues is a ubiquitous phenomenon, but the precise physiologic or pathophysiologic role of these autacoids has not yet been defined. In contrast, understanding of synthetic mechanisms, metabolism, and catabolism of eicosanoids seems to have surpassed understanding of their pharmacologic actions. Early clinical research involving eicosanoids focused on reactions of the cyclo-oxygenase pathway, which are inhibitable by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The lipoxygenase pathway, which appears to be an important component of the allergic and inflammatory response, represents a new area of clinical research.
D001095:Arachidonic Acids / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008084:Lipoxygenase / Q000378:metabolism; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases / Q000378:metabolism; D011453:Prostaglandins / Q000378:metabolism; D013189:SRS-A / Q000378:metabolism
D001095:Arachidonic Acids; D011453:Prostaglandins; D013189:SRS-A; D008084:Lipoxygenase; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases