Arachidonic acid thromboxanes

RCS as an unstable cyclooxygenase metabolite of arachidonic acid, thromboxane A2 (TXA2) second, the finding that aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs exert their effects by inhibiting cyclooxygenase activity—a discovery of momentous therapeutic importance. 

Arachidonic acid Thromboxane Aa Prostacyclin PGI2/3) Leukotriene LTB4) Fibrinogen Tissue plasminogen activator... 

The enzyme system responsible for the biosynthesis of PGs is widely distributed in mammalian tissues and has been extensively studied (2). It is referred to as prostaglandin H synthase (PGHS) and exhibits both cyclooxygenase and peroxidase activity. In addition to the classical PGs two other prostanoid products, thromboxane [57576-52-0] (TxA ) (3) and prostacyclin [35121 -78-9] (PGI2) (4) are also derived from the action of the enzyme system on arachidonic acid (Fig. 1). 

Animal cells can modify arachidonic acid and other polyunsaturated fatty acids, in processes often involving cyclization and oxygenation, to produce so-called local hormones that (1) exert their effects at very low concentrations and (2) usually act near their sites of synthesis. These substances include the prostaglandins (PG) (Figure 25.27) as well as thromboxanes (Tx), leukotrienes, and other hydroxyeicosanoic acids. Thromboxanes, discovered in blood platelets (thrombocytes), are cyclic ethers (TxBg is actually a hemiacetal see Figure 25.27) with a hydroxyl group at C-15. 

Eicosanoid (Section 27.4) A lipid derived biologically from 5,8.11,14-eicosatetraenoic acid, or arachidonic acid. Prostaglandins, thromboxanes and leukotrienes are examples. 

These GC conditions are suitable for analyzing many prostaglandins, thromboxanes, leuko-trienes, and other metabolites of arachidonic acid, such as the hydroxyeicosatetraenoic (HETE) acids. However, the 5-, 12-, and 15-HETE isomers are difficult to separate using GC methods. Sometimes the methyl ester-TMS derivatives provide a better GC separation, or for ketoprostaglandins, the MO-methyl ester-TMS derivatives often give a better separation... 

NSAIDs inhibit cyclooxygenases (COX), the enzymes that catalyze the transformation of arachidonic acid (a ubiquitous cell component generated from phospholipids) to prostaglandins and thromboxanes. Two isoforms, COX-1 and COX-2, are constitutively expressed in peripheral tissues and in the central nervous... 

TXA2 is produced by activated platelets via the sequential conversion of arachidonic acid by phospholipase A2, cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1), and thromboxane synthase. Similar to ADP, TXA2 acts as a... 

Cyclooxygenases. Figure 1 Pathways for the formation of prostanoids from arachidonic acid. Arachidonic acid is converted by cyclooxygenase to endoperoxides, which are acted upon by various synthesases to form the prostanoids. Prostacyclin and thromboxane are relatively unstable and break down rapidly to form the inactive metabolites 6-oxo-PGF1a and thromboxane B2, respectively. 

CYP5 synthesizes thromboxane A2, a fatty acid in the arachidonic acid cascade that causes platelet aggregation. Aspirin prevents platelet aggregation because it blocks the cyclooxygenases COX1 and COX2 which catalyze the initial step of the biotransformation of arachidonic acid to thromboxane and prostaglandins. 

Rats fed a purified nonlipid diet containing vitamins A and D exhibit a reduced growth rate and reproductive deficiency which may be cured by the addition of linoleic, a-linolenic, and arachidonic acids to the diet. These fatty acids are found in high concentrations in vegetable oils (Table 14-2) and in small amounts in animal carcasses. These essential fatty acids are required for prostaglandin, thromboxane, leukotriene, and lipoxin formation (see below), and they also have various other functions which are less well defined. Essential fatty acids are found in the stmctural lipids of the cell, often in the 2 position of phospholipids, and are concerned with the structural integrity of the mitochondrial membrane. 

CoUagen-induced activation of a platelet phospholipase A2 by increased levels of cytosolic Ca results in hberation of arachidonic acid from platelet phospho-hpids, leading to the formation of thromboxane A2 (Chapter 23), which in turn, in a receptor-mediated fashion, can further activate phospholipase C, promot-ing platelet aggregation. 

Inflammation is a non-specific reaction which can be induced by a variety of agents apart fiom microorganisms. Lymphokines and derivatives of arachidonic acid, including prostaglandins, leukotrienes and thromboxanes are probable mediators of the inflammatory response. The release of vasoactive amines such as histamine and serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine) firm activated or damaged cells also contribute to inflammation. 

As the first isolable intermediate in the bioconversion of arachidonic acid into prostaglandins and thromboxanes (Eq. 3), PGG2 is a bicyclic peroxide of immense biological importance. It is difficult to obtain pure from natural sources and the presence of the 15-hydroperoxide group adds a further dimension of chemical lability to that associated with the 9,11-peroxide bridge. The chemical synthesis of PGG2 is thus a landmark in prostaglandin chemistry. It also represents a pinnacle of success for the silver-salt route to bicyclic peroxides. 

Another vasoactive substance produced by the endothelium is thromboxane A2 (TxA2). Normally, small amounts of TxA2 are released continuously however, increased synthesis appears to be associated with some cardiac diseases. Synthesized from arachidonic acid, a plasma membrane phospholipid, TxA2 is a potent vasoconstrictor. Furthermore, this substance stimulates platelet aggregation, suggesting that it plays a role in thrombotic events such as myocardial infarction (heart attack). Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin and ibuprofen block formation of TxA2 and reduce formation of blood clots. 

Lipids have multiple roles in cells. Recent discoveries show that the same lipid may have both structural and regulatory roles in the cell. For example, while arachidonic acid (20 4co6) is a major constituent of brain inositides and PtdEtn, the free acid is also a precursor of a number of important bio messengers, the eicosanoids, such as prostaglandins, prostacyclins, leukotrienes and thromboxanes... 

The characteristics of the four major classes of histamine receptors are summarized. Question marks indicate suggestions from the literature that have not been confirmed. AA, arachidonic acid DAG, diacylglycerol Iko,2+, calcium-activated potassium current IP3, inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate NHE, sodium-proton exchange, PKC, protein kinase C NO, nitric oxide PTPLC, phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C TXA2, thromboxane A2. Has brain-penetrating characteristics after systemic administration. 

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