Prostaglandin Degradation

Luteolysis The structural and functional degradation of the corpus luteum that occurs at the end of the luteal phase in the absence of pregnancy caused by the hormones prostaglandin-2(X and oxytocin. Communication between the corpus luteum and uterine endometrium is necessary for luteolysis. 

I to angiotensin II, a potent vasoconstrictor and stimulator of aldosterone secretion. ACE inhibitors also block the degradation of bradykinin and stimulate the synthesis of other vasodilating substances including prostaglandin E2 and prostacyclin. The fact that ACE inhibitors lower BP in patients with normal plasma renin activity suggests that bradykinin and perhaps tissue production of ACE are important in hypertension. 

Taylor It is not prostaglandins because we can block the metabolism of arachidonate, and so prevent formation of prostaglandins and leukotrienes, but we still get activation of NCCE by vasopressin, indeed there is a modest potentiation of the response consistent with lesser degradation of the arachidonate. 

Peptideglycan biosynthesis Metabolism of Complex Lipids Glycerolipid metabolism Inositol phosphate metabolism Sphingophospholipid biosynthesis Phospholipid degradation Sphingoglycolipid metabolism Prostaglandin and leukotriene metabolism... 

This beneficial effect of fluorination on hydrolytic stability has also been demonstrated with the synthetic prostaglandin SC-46275 (Fig. 70). This compound possesses an anti-secretory activity that protects the stomach mucous membrane. However, its clinical development was too problematic because of the instability of the tertiary allyl alcohol in acidic medium (epimerisation, dehydration, etc.). A fluorine atom was introduced on the C-16 methyl to disfavour the formation of the allylic carbocation. This fluorinated analogue possesses the same biological activity, but does not undergo any degradation or rearrangement, and itepimerises only slowly [165]. 

The synthesis of kinins can be inhibited with the kallikrein inhibitor aprotinin. Actions of kinins mediated by prostaglandin generation can be blocked nonspecifically with inhibitors of prostaglandin synthesis such as aspirin. Conversely, the actions of kinins can be enhanced with ACE inhibitors, which block the degradation of the peptides. Indeed, as noted above, inhibition of bradykinin metabolism by ACE inhibitors contributes significantly to their antihypertensive action. 

Despite their fascinating pharmacological properties, prostaglandins are difficult drugs to administer because, in addition to their natural scarcity, they are rapidly inactivated by enzymatic degradation and interact nonselectively with tissues and cells. Despite these difficulties, biosynthetic production of PGs has not met increasing demand. Biosyn-... 

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