Liver: the formation and actions of aspirin-triggered lipoxins.
Eicosanoids play a key role in the initiation, progression and resolution of the inflammatory response. Although most current anti-inflammatory strategies are focused on the pharmacological inhibition of pro-inflammatory eicosanoids, such as prostaglandins and leukotrienes, mounting evidence indicates the existence of potent endogenous eicosanoids able to control inflammation and orchestrate its resolution. The first eicosanoids recognized as anti-inflammatory compounds generated by our own organism were the lipoxins (LXs). More recently, a new series of carbon-15 epimers of LXs, with anti-inflammatory properties similar to those of native LXs, was identified during aspirin treatment. Since their formation is specific to this venerable non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, the term aspirin-triggered LXs (ATLs) was coined for these compounds. This chapter deals with the biosynthesis of LXs and ATLs in the liver, the largest solid organ/gland in the body, and discusses the most relevant actions of these lipid mediators in the context of liver inflammation and injury.
Clària
J
J
DNA Unit, Hospital Clínic, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona 08036, Spain. jclaria@clinic.ub.es
Planagumà
A
A
D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001241:Aspirin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D044045:Lipoxins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000502:physiology*; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D044045:Lipoxins; C040527:lipoxin A4; D001241:Aspirin