Prostaglandin Phospholipase

Pseudopterosin A is a member of a group of marine natural products which show potent antiinflammatory properties, but which are not prostaglandin biosynthesis inhibitors. Structurally similar to phosphatidyl inositol, they may function as phospholipase inhibitors, and, as such, may be the forerunners of a new class of therapeutic agents. 

Free radicals are by-products of prostaglandin metabolism and may even regulate the activity of the arachidonate pathway. Arachidonic acid, released from lipids as a result of activation of phospholipases by tissue injury or by hormones, may be metabolized by the prostaglandin or leu-kotriene pathways. The peroxidase-catalysed conversion of prostaglandin G2 to prostaglandin H2 (unstable prostanoids) and the mechanism of hydroperoxy fatty acid to the hydroxy fatty acid conversion both yield oxygen radicals, which can be detected by e.s.r. (Rice-Evans et al., 1991). 

Figure 17.1 Injury mosaic. PLA2, phospholipase A2 LKTs, leukotrlenes LTB4, leukotrlene B4 PGs, prostaglandins 5LO, 5-llpoxygenase NO, nitric oxide NOS, nitric oxide synthase TXs, thromboxanes.

Topical corticosteroids (Table 16-1) may halt synthesis and mitosis of DNA in epidermal cells and appear to inhibit phospholipase A, lowering the amounts of arachidonic acid, prostaglandins, and leukotrienes in the skin. These effects, coupled with local vasoconstriction, reduce erythema, pruritus, and scaling. As antipsoriatic agents, they are best used adjunc-tively with a product that specifically functions to normalize epidermal hyperproliferation. 

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