Role of Eicosanoids in Health and Disease

The prostaglandins, thromboxanes, and leukotrienes have been shown to have a variety of effects on virtually every major physiologic system. Studies have indicated that these compounds can influence cardio- 

Prostaglandins appear to help mediate painful stimuli in a variety of conditions (including inflammation). The compounds do not usually produce pain directly but are believed to increase the sensitivity of pain receptors to mechanical pressure and the effects of other pain-producing substances such as bradykinin.73 

Prostaglandins appear to be pyretogenic that is, they help produce the elevated body temperature during fever.55 Although the details are somewhat unclear, prostaglandins produced in hypothalamic blood vessels may promote fever by altering the thermoregulatory set-point within the hypothalamus so 

SECTION 4 Drugs Used to Treat Pain and Inflammation 

Class PGAs Vascular Smooth Muscle Vasodilation Airway Smooth Muscle Gastrointestinal Smooth Muscle Gastrointestinal Secretions Decrease Uterine Muscle (Nonpregnant) Relaxation Platelet Aggregation 

---