The universe of arachidonic acid metabolites in inflammatory bowel disease: can we tell the good from the bad?
OBJECTIVE
This review summarizes recent developments in the role of soluble mediators of inflammation, particularly arachidonic acid metabolites, in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).


RESULTS
The role of prostaglandin E2 in immune regulation has been better defined. Prostaglandin E2 promotes not only immune tolerance and epithelial homeostasis but also the proinflammatory Th17 pathway. Prostaglandin D2 has been established as promoting the resolution of inflammation in the gastrointestinal mucosa. The 12-lipoxygenase product hepoxilin A3 mediates the migration of neutrophils from the mucosa into the lumen.


CONCLUSIONS
Recent studies of soluble mediators, especially arachidonic acid metabolites, have defined their proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory roles in IBD.
Washington University, St Louis, Misssouri, USA.
William F
WF
Stenson
D015126:8,11,14-Eicosatrienoic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000378:metabolism; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000009:adverse effects; D016718:Arachidonic Acid / Q000276:immunology*; D002465:Cell Movement; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000276:immunology*; D009504:Neutrophils; D015230:Prostaglandin D2 / Q000276:immunology; D015398:Signal Transduction; D058504:Th17 Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D016718:Arachidonic Acid; C038243:8-hydroxy-11,12-epoxyeicosa-5,9,14-trienoic acid; D015126:8,11,14-Eicosatrienoic Acid; D015232:Dinoprostone; D015230:Prostaglandin D2