Prostaglandins Effects

Prostaglandins are produced in the body by its cells and influence every organ system.
They play a role in a variety of physiological and hormonal processes and sometimes work against each other to protect the body. Prostaglandins create diffuse chemical and mechanical actions in the body, depending on outside stimuli and their own biological cell structure.

Function

• Prostaglandins are naturally occurring substances derived from fatty acids and synthesized by cells in the mammalian body. Produced in every body cell except red blood cells, prostaglandins respond to differing stimuli in the body to effect responses on hormones and cells directly in the tissues where they are located. They appear in relatively minute amounts and are metabolized quickly in the blood.

Types

• The differing types of prostaglandins are directly linked to the effects they produce in the body. Prostaglandin E and Prostaglandin F (pE and pF) work in the female uterus to stimulate contraction during birth. A similar type of prostaglandin called pF2 functions as a luteolytic-- in a male, it stimulates the formation of sperm and the secretion of testosterone. In a female, it causes the formation of the corpus luteum, the initial stage of the developing ova. Thromboxane (pGI2) is a modified prostaglandin that constricts blood vessels and begins the clotting process. Due to the quick removal of prostaglandins from the body, blood clotting is completed by pF1, another type of fatty acid. Conversely, prostacyclin is a prostaglandin that works as a vasodilator--it dilates blood vessels--and inhibits clot production.

Effects

• Prostaglandins influence every organ in the body and also activate as a response to tissue damage; as white blood cells move to a site to decrease tissue destruction, they produce these substances. Prostaglandins are directly responsible for tissue inflammation, fever and pain. Certain types of prostaglandins also promote sodium retention and increase cortisol production in the body.

Benefits

• Within the body's cardiac system, the production of prostaglandins improves circulation and nerve function, increases T-cell (white blood cell) formation and lowers blood pressure. Prostaglandins also inhibit the production of stomach acids and promote the secretion of mucosal tissue in the gastrointestinal tract. In the area of female reproduction, prostaglandins help to regulate ovulation, cause implantation of the fertilized ova, maintain gestation, prevent uterine and ovarian infections, and synchronize post-partum estrus. They are also used to treat ovarian cysts and chronic endometriosis.

Considerations

• NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) have an inhibiting effect on prostaglandins. Aspirin and other analgesics such as ibuprofen block an enzyme on the cell producing the prostaglandin, thus relieving the symptoms of pain and fever in an injury or illness. The unwanted blood clotting caused by prostaglandins during coronary artery disease may be decreased with the ingestion of aspirin; conversely, taking aspirin may cause gastrointestinal upset by increasing stomach acids.