prostaglandin-d2 and Chronic-Disease

The relationship between rhinitis and chronic sinusitis is close and complex and may perhaps show many points of view, anatomical and physiological, epidemiological (by comparing the prevalence of an ailment in carriers of another ailment), experimental (by making nasal allergen provocation tests and studying the sinus anomalies induced) and physiopathological (by phenotyping and comparison of the inflammation present with one another and other ailments). If the results of these studies are convincing, there is still lack of formal proof that confirms the fundamental role of nasal inflammation in general and in particular allergic inflammation in the genesis of sinusitis.

Topics: Allergens; Chronic Disease; Cytokines; Eosinophilia; Humans; Leukocytes; Nasal Mucosa; Nasal Polyps; Nasal Provocation Tests; Paranasal Sinuses; Prevalence; Prostaglandin D2; Radiography; Respiratory Hypersensitivity; Rhinitis; Sinusitis

Approximately 50% of patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) experience symptoms that are not fully controlled by antihistamines, indicating an unmet clinical need.. To evaluate the effects of the selective CRTh2 antagonist AZD1981 on symptoms and targeted leukocytes in adults with persistent CSU despite treatment with H1-antihistamines.. We performed a single-center, randomized, placebo-controlled study involving adult CSU subjects with symptoms despite daily antihistamines. The subjects underwent a 2-week placebo run-in and 4 weeks of double-blinded therapy with either AZD1981 40 mg TID or placebo, followed by a 2-week placebo washout. The primary objective was to assess the effect of AZD1981 on CSU signs and symptoms. Secondary objectives included the effects of AZD1981 on prostaglandin D2 (PGD2)-induced eosinophil shape change, circulating leukocyte subsets, CRTh2 expression on blood leukocytes, and total blood leukocyte histamine content.. Twenty-eight subjects were randomized to AZD1981 or placebo, with 26 subjects completing the study. The urticaria activity scores declined during the treatment phase in both groups, and they were significantly reduced in the AZD1981 group at the end of washout. AZD1981 treatment increased circulating eosinophils and significantly impaired PGD2-mediated eosinophil shape change. CRTh2 surface expression rose significantly on blood basophils during active treatment. No serious adverse events were observed.. This is the first study to examine the efficacy of a CRTh2 antagonist in antihistamine-refractory CSU. AZD1981 treatment was well tolerated, effectively inhibited PGD2-mediated eosinophil shape change, shifted numbers of circulating eosinophils, and reduced weekly itch scores more than hives during treatment and into washout. Further studies are needed to determine whether inhibition of the PGD2/CRTh2 pathway will be an -effective treatment for CSU.

Topics: Acetates; Administration, Oral; Adult; Aged; Chronic Disease; Eosinophils; Female; Humans; Indoles; Male; Middle Aged; Prostaglandin D2; Receptors, Immunologic; Receptors, Prostaglandin; Urticaria

Systemic reactions are related to the pathogenesis of Aspirin Exacerbated Respiratory Disease (AERD). With this work we wanted to study the changes in the systemic levels of inflammatory mediators in both baseline and after oral aspirin challenge in patients with and without AERD.. Patients with nasal polyposis and asthma with AERD (n=20) and without (n=18) were orally challenged with aspirin in a single-blind placebo controlled study. Serum samples and urine were collected before and 6h after placebo and aspirin oral challenges. Serum levels of inflammatory mediators were assayed by using the Luminex technology and ELISA. The concentrations of 9-alpha, 11-beta prostaglandin F2, and leukotriene E4 (uLTE4) were measured in urine samples by ELISA. The expression of T-cell surface markers was analyzed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells isolated before and after the challenges.. AERD patients showed significantly higher baseline levels of s-IL-5R-alpha, uLTE4 and percentage of CD4(+)CD25(+)CD127(pos) and CD4(+)CD45RA(-)CD45RO(+) but decreased levels of TGF-β1 and number of CD4(+)CD25(+)CD127(neg) cells. Aspirin challenge induced the release of uLTE4, IL-6 and increased the number of CD4(+)CD45RA(-)CD45RO(+) memory T-cells only in AERD patients but failed to reduce the levels of sCD40L as observed in non-AERD subjects. Further, IL-8 and sIL-5R-alpha levels directly correlated with the PD20ASA and the effects of aspirin on IL-6 and number of memory T-cells was more pronounced in subjects showing more strong reaction (bronchial and nasal).. AERD patients have a differential baseline inflammatory pattern that supports the role inflammation as underlying mechanism of the disease. Systemic response to oral aspirin challenge was related to an increase in serum IL-6 and the number of circulating memory T-cells in AERD patients.

Topics: Adult; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Aspirin; Asthma, Aspirin-Induced; Chronic Disease; Cytokines; Female; Humans; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Inflammation Mediators; Leukotriene E4; Male; Middle Aged; Nasal Polyps; Prostaglandin D2; Rhinitis; Single-Blind Method; Sinusitis; T-Lymphocyte Subsets

Numerous open trials have demonstrated the beneficial clinical effects of aspirin desensitization (AD) in patients with aspirin-induced asthma (AIA). These beneficial effects might be attributable to aspirin's potent anti-inflammatory properties, but that supposition requires further corroboration.. We sought to compare the clinical and biochemical responses to chronic oral AD in 20 patients with AIA and 14 patients with aspirin-tolerant asthma (ATA). All of the patients had chronic rhinosinusitis and nasal polyposis, and these responses were investigated in a pilot, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.. Twelve patients with AIA and 6 patients with ATA were randomly assigned to receive 624 mg of aspirin, and 8 patients with AIA and 8 patients with ATA received placebo. Both aspirin and placebo were administered once daily for 6 months. Nasal symptoms, Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT20) scores, peak nasal inspiratory flows, Asthma Control Questionnaire scores, spirometric parameters, peak expiratory flows, blood eosinophilia, and corticosteroid doses were assessed on a monthly basis. Levels of urinary leukotriene E4 and the stable plasma prostaglandin (PG) D2 metabolite 9α,11β-PGF2 were evaluated at baseline and after 1, 3, 5, and 6 months.. Only the patients with AIA subjected to AD reported improvements in smell and reductions in sneezing and nasal blockade. The SNOT20 and Asthma Control Questionnaire scores of these patients decreased, and their peak nasal inspiratory flows increased. The dosages of inhaled corticosteroids were reduced. There were no changes in leukotriene E(4) or 9α,11β-PGF(2) levels after AD.. The clinically beneficial effects of AD on nasal and bronchial symptoms occurred only in the patients with AIA.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Adult; Aged; Allergens; Aspirin; Asthma; Asthma, Aspirin-Induced; Chronic Disease; Desensitization, Immunologic; Dinoprost; Double-Blind Method; Eosinophils; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Leukotriene E4; Male; Middle Aged; Nasal Polyps; Pilot Projects; Prostaglandin D2; Rhinitis; Sinusitis; Spirometry; Treatment Outcome

Prostaglandins and leukotrienes are implicated in conditions of both the upper and lower airways. In the former they are deranged in nasal polyposis, intrinsic rhinitis and allergic rhinitis while in the latter they are involved in the pathogenesis of asthma. The aim of the present study was to measure mucosal eicosanoid levels in the three types of rhinitis and compare with controls. In addition, the effect of topical steroids on eicosanoid levels in rhinitis was examined. The levels of prostaglandins E(2) (PGE(2)) and D(2) (PGD(2)) and of leukotrienes E(4) (LTE(4)) and B(4) (LTB(4)) were measured in nasal biopsies from the inferior turbinates of patients suffering from perennial rhinitis and a control group. Rhinitis patients were classified into three categories: perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR), non-allergic rhinitis with eosinophilia (NARES) and noneosinophilic non-allergic rhinitis (NENAR) on the basis of symptoms, secretion eosinophilia, nasal resistance and allergy testing. Patients with rhinitis were randomized into two groups. One received fluticasone propionate nasal spray (FPANS) and the other a placebo (PNS) over a period of six weeks prior to the biopsies. One hundred and one patients with PAR, NARES or NENAR were recruited sequentially and the control group consisted of 21 patients with no evidence of rhinitis but with nasal obstruction due to septal deviation. Untreated rhinitics had significantly lower levels of PGE(2), PGD(2) and LTE(4) than non-rhinitic controls. Six-weeks' treatment with FPANS significantly increased the levels of those eicosanoids in patients with PAR and NARES but they were still significantly below normal. Levels of LTB(4) in all three rhinitis groups were not significantly different from controls and treatment with topical steroids had no effect. Their findings are contrary to current thinking that increased levels of eicosanoids, in particular cysteinyl-leukotrienes, play an important role in the pathogenesis of chronic, non-infective upper airway inflammation.

Topics: Airway Resistance; Androstadienes; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Chronic Disease; Dinoprostone; Double-Blind Method; Eosinophils; Fluticasone; Humans; Leukocyte Count; Leukotriene B4; Leukotriene E4; Leukotrienes; Nasal Mucosa; Nasal Polyps; Prostaglandin D2; Prostaglandins; Rhinitis; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial

The precise role of prostaglandin D (PGD)

Topics: Animals; Asthma; Chronic Disease; Epithelial Cells; Gene Expression Regulation; Inflammation; Intramolecular Oxidoreductases; Lipopolysaccharides; Lung; Mice; Mice, Knockout; Pneumonia; Prostaglandin D2; Signal Transduction; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Eosinophils play a major pathologic role in the pathogenesis of diverse inflammatory diseases including chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Dysregulated production of prostaglandin (PG), particularly PGD2, is considered to be an important contributing factor to eosinophilic inflammation in CRS primarily through proinflammatory and chemotactic effects on eosinophils. Here, we provide evidence that PGD2 can promote eosinophilic inflammation through a suppression of Natural killer (NK) cell effector function and NK cell-mediated eosinophil regulation. Eosinophil apoptosis mediated by NK cells was significantly decreased in CRS patients compared with healthy controls. This decrease was associated with NK cell dysfunction and eosinophilic inflammation. Tissue eosinophils were positively correlated with blood eosinophils in CRS patients. In a murine model of CRS, NK cell depletion caused an exacerbation of blood eosinophilia and eosinophilic inflammation in the sinonasal tissue. PGD2 and its metabolite, but not PGE2 and a panel of cytokines including TGF-β, were increased in CRS patients compared with controls. Effector functions of NK cells were potently suppressed by PGD2-dependent, rather than PGE2-dependent, pathway in controls and CRS patients. Thus, our results suggest decreased NK cell-mediated eosinophil regulation, possibly through an increased level of PGD2, as a previously unrecognized link between PG dysregulation and eosinophilic inflammation in CRS.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Animals; Chronic Disease; Eosinophils; Female; Humans; Inflammation; Killer Cells, Natural; Leukocyte Count; Male; Middle Aged; Nasal Mucosa; Prostaglandin D2; Sinusitis

15-Deoxy-Δ(12,14) -Prostaglandin J(2) (15d-PGJ(2) ), a natural peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) ligand, has been implicated as a new antiinflammatory compound with possible clinical applications. Based on this concept, this study was designed to evaluate the effects of 15d-PGJ(2) on bone marrow-derived monocyte/macrophage (BMM) migration, phagocytosis, and cytokine expression after liver injury using mouse models induced by cholestasis or carbon tetrachloride. Mice were lethally irradiated and received bone marrow transplants from enhanced green fluorescent protein transgenic mice. Our results showed that recruitment of BMM was significantly increased during chronic liver injury, and that 15d-PGJ(2) administration reduced BMM, but not neutrophil, dendritic, or T cell migration toward the damaged liver, involving reactive oxygen species generation and independently of PPAR-γ. Moreover, 15d-PGJ(2) inhibited the phagocytic activity of BMM and down-regulated inflammatory cytokine expression in vivo and in vitro. Accordingly, hepatic inflammation and fibrosis were strikingly ameliorated after 15d-PGJ(2) administration.. Our findings strongly suggest the antiinflammation and antifibrogenic potential of 15d-PGJ(2) in chronic liver diseases.

Topics: Analysis of Variance; Animals; Bone Marrow Transplantation; Cell Movement; Cell Proliferation; Cells, Cultured; Chronic Disease; Disease Models, Animal; Flow Cytometry; Fluorescent Antibody Technique; Liver Cirrhosis; Macrophages; Mice; Mice, Transgenic; Phagocytosis; Prostaglandin D2; Random Allocation; Reactive Oxygen Species; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction

The aim of this study was to explore the pathogenesis of chronic cough caused by non-acid reflux.. Seven patients with chronic cough due to non-acid reflux, 12 patients with chronic cough due to acid reflux, 10 patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease without cough and 12 healthy volunteers were recruited for the study. All subjects underwent oesophageal multi-channel intraluminal impedance measurements combined with pH monitoring, and assessment of cough reflex sensitivity to capsaicin and induced sputum cytology. The concentrations of substance P, mast cell tryptase, prostaglandin D2 and histamine in induced sputum were measured by ELISA.. Cough threshold C2 and C5 did not differ between patients with chronic cough due to non-acid or acid reflux, but the values were significantly lower than those for patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease without cough and healthy volunteers. Weakly acidic reflux episodes were obviously more frequent in patients with chronic cough due to non-acid reflux than in the other three groups. Sputum substance P and mast cell tryptase concentrations were remarkably increased in patients with chronic cough, but were similar for those with cough due to non-acid or acid reflux. There were significant inverse correlations between substance P levels and cough threshold C2 or C5 in patients with cough due to non-acid or acid reflux, and between mast cell tryptase levels and cough threshold C2 in patients with cough due to acid reflux.. Chronic cough due to non-acid reflux may be related to cough reflex hypersensitivity caused by neurogenic airway inflammation and mast cell activation, in which weakly acidic reflux is possibly a major factor.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Asthma; Capsaicin; Chronic Disease; Cough; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Gastroesophageal Reflux; Histamine; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies; Prostaglandin D2; Reflex; Respiratory Function Tests; Sputum; Substance P; Tryptases

Prostaglandin D(2) (PGD(2)) participates in airway inflammation. We reported that levels of hematopoietic-type PGD(2) synthase (h-PGDS) in sinonasal tissues may play an important role in the pathophysiology of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Two PGD(2) receptors have been isolated, DP and CRTH2, but whether they participate in CRS remains unclear. We sought to determine the expression and characterization of DP and CRTH2 in CRS.. Expression of DP and CRTH2 in nasal polyps (NP) and uncinate process mucosae (UPM) was examined by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry and evaluated by real-time quantitative PCR. h-PGDS, IL-5, eotaxin and RANTES expression was also determined. In addition, the effect of PGD(2) on the expression of both receptors in UPM was assessed.. DP was widely expressed, not only in infiltrating inflammatory cells but also in constitutive cells such as vascular endothelial cells and ciliated columnar epithelia. CRTH2 was selectively expressed in inflammatory cells and some glands. Significantly greater levels of DP mRNA and conversely decreased levels of CRTH2 mRNA were observed in NP compared with UPM. DP and CRTH2 mRNA levels were not only positively and inversely correlated with levels of h-PGDS but also with eotaxin, respectively. Furthermore, addition of PGD(2) significantly increased DP expression and conversely reduced CRTH2 expression in UPM.. These results suggest that distinct expression of DP and CRTH2 is associated with the pathophysiology of CRS, including NP formation, and the expression of these receptors may be regulated by h-PGDS and PGD(2).

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Chronic Disease; Eosinophils; Female; Gene Expression Regulation; Humans; Inflammation; Intramolecular Oxidoreductases; Lipocalins; Male; Middle Aged; Nasal Mucosa; Nasal Polyps; Prostaglandin D2; Receptors, Immunologic; Receptors, Prostaglandin; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial; RNA, Messenger; Sinusitis; Young Adult

The prevalence of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) refractory to traditional therapy appears to be on the increase. In these cases, CRS tends to be associated with bronchial asthma (BA), especially, aspirin-intolerant asthma (AIA). On the other hand, arachidonic acid metabolites have been extensively investigated in the pathogenesis of BA. We sought to assess the role of prostaglandin D(2) (PGD(2)) and prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) in the recalcitrant pathophysiology of CRS.. Samples were prepared from the nasal polyps and mucosa of 40 patients undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) at our hospital. The nasal polyp specimens obtained from the patients with CRS were divided into three groups, as follows: the CRS-AIA group, consisting of specimens obtained from patients with CRS complicated by AIA, the CRS-ATA group, consisting of specimens obtained from patients with CRS associated with aspirin-tolerant asthma (ATA), and the CRS-NA group, consisting of specimens obtained from CRS patients without BA. PGD(2) and PGE(2) were extracted from the specimens and quantified.. The concentrations of PGD(2) were significantly higher in the nasal polyps of the CRS-ATA group. The concentrations of PGE(2) were lowest in the nasal polyps of the CRS-AIA group. The PGD(2)/PGE(2) ratio was highest in the CRS-AIA group.. It has previously been reported that CRS complicated by AIA is most likely to be characterized by repeated remissions and relapses, and is thus the most intractable. We may therefore say that the PGD(2)/PGE(2) ratio reflects the intractable nature of CRS.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aspirin; Asthma; Cell Extracts; Chronic Disease; Dinoprostone; Drug Hypersensitivity; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Nasal Polyps; Paranasal Sinuses; Prostaglandin D2; Rhinitis; Sinusitis

Topics: Acute Disease; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Cell Proliferation; Chronic Disease; Disease Models, Animal; Gene Expression Regulation; Humans; Inflammation; Lipid Metabolism; Lipids; Lymphocytes; Mice; Models, Biological; Peritonitis; Prostaglandin D2; Time Factors

PGD(2) plays roles in allergic inflammation via specific receptors, the PGD receptor designated DP and CRTH2 (chemoattractant receptor homologous molecule expressed on Th2 cells). We generated mutant mice carrying a targeted disruption of the CRTH2 gene to investigate the functional roles of CRTH2 in cutaneous inflammatory responses. CRTH2-deficent mice were fertile and grew normally. Ear-swelling responses induced by hapten-specific IgE were less pronounced in mutant mice, giving 35-55% of the responses of normal mice. Similar results were seen in mice treated with a hemopoietic PGD synthase inhibitor, HQL-79, or a CRTH2 antagonist, ramatroban. The reduction in cutaneous responses was associated with decreased infiltration of lymphocytes, eosinophils, and basophils and decreased production of macrophage-derived chemokine and RANTES at inflammatory sites. In models of chronic contact hypersensitivity induced by repeated hapten application, CRTH2 deficiency resulted in a reduction by approximately half of skin responses and low levels (63% of control) of serum IgE production, although in vivo migration of Langerhans cells and dendritic cells to regional lymph nodes was not impaired in CRTH2-deficient mice. In contrast, delayed-type hypersensitivity to SRBC and irritation dermatitis in mutant mice were the same as in wild-type mice. These findings indicate that the PGD(2)-CRTH2 system plays a significant role in chronic allergic skin inflammation. CRTH2 may represent a novel therapeutic target for treatment of human allergic disorders, including atopic dermatitis.

Topics: Animals; Chronic Disease; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact; Disease Models, Animal; Female; Immunoglobulin E; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Knockout; Prostaglandin D2; Receptors, Immunologic; Receptors, Prostaglandin

Prostaglandin E(2) and D(2) (PGE(2) and PGD(2)) production and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression during the resolution of acute and chronic gastric inflammatory lesions in Wistar rats have been investigated. Differences between ibuprofen, nonselective COX inhibitor, and rofecoxib, specific COX-2 inhibitor, on the development of the induced responses were also analysed. In an acute model, by instillation of HCL, the greatest injury was observed early with a rapid and progressive restoration. Maximal up-regulation of COX-2 protein was detected at 6 h and was accompanied by increase of PGE(2) synthesis but not PGD(2). Both drugs stimulated COX-2 expression in accordance to their capacity of inhibiting this enzymatic activity, driving to delay in the healing. In a chronic model, by acetic acid-induced gastric ulcers, COX-2 was expressed at 7 days and was also associated with PGE(2) increase. Ibuprofen and rofecoxib also augmented COX-2 protein and inhibited PGE(2) levels. However, PGD(2) production was augmented when none signal of COX-2 protein could be detected. Together, this study confirms the role played by COX-2 enzyme in the resolution of acute and chronic gastric inflammatory process, PGE(2) being the principal product. The antiinflammatory effect of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) could be mediated not only through the inhibition of COX activity but also through the induction of antiinflammatory PGs production-such as PGD(2)-although further studies would be needed to clarify the mechanisms of this activity and the possible implicated processes.

Topics: Acetic Acid; Acute Disease; Animals; Chronic Disease; Cyclooxygenase 1; Cyclooxygenase 2; Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; Dinoprostone; Disease Models, Animal; Hydrochloric Acid; Ibuprofen; Lactones; Male; Membrane Proteins; Prostaglandin D2; Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Stomach Ulcer; Sulfones

Despite advances in understanding the pathophysiology of asthma, morbidity and mortality in pediatrics continue to rise. Little is known about the initiation and chronicity of inflammation resulting in asthma in this young population. We evaluated 20 "wheezing" children (WC) (median age 14.9 mo) with a minimum of two episodes of wheezing or prolonged wheezing > or = 2 mo in a 6-mo period with bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). Comparisons were made with six normal controls (NC) (median age 23.3 mo) undergoing general anesthesia for elective surgery. BAL fluid cell counts and differentials were determined. The eicosanoids, leukotriene (LT) B(4), LTE(4), prostaglandin (PG)E(2), and 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (HETE) and the mast cell mediators, beta-tryptase and PGD(2), were evaluated by enzyme immunoassay (EIA). WC had significant elevations in total BAL cells/ml (p = 0.01), as well as, lymphocytes (LYMPH, p = 0.007), macrophages/monocytes (M&M, p = 0.02), polymorphonuclear cells (PMN, p = 0.02), epithelial cells (EPI, p = 0.03), and eosinophils (EOS, p = 0.04) compared with NC. Levels of PGE(2) (p = 0.0005), 15-HETE (p = 0.002), LTE(4) (p = 0.04), and LTB(4) (p = 0.05) were also increased in WC compared with NC, whereas PGD(2) and beta-tryptase were not. This study confirms that inflammation is present in the airways of very young WC and may differ from patterns seen in adults with asthma.

Topics: Age Factors; Asthma; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid; Bronchoscopy; Case-Control Studies; Chronic Disease; Dinoprostone; Disease Progression; Female; Humans; Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic Acids; Infant; Inflammation; Inflammation Mediators; Leukocyte Count; Leukotriene B4; Male; Prostaglandin D2; Respiratory Sounds; Risk Factors; Serine Endopeptidases; Tryptases

Chronic sinusitis is a recurrent disorder commonly found in atopic individuals, yet few studies have explored the role of inflammatory mediators in sinusitis. Sinus lavage fluid from ten patients with chronic sinusitis obtained during endoscopic surgery was analyzed for total cell counts and then assayed for histamine, immunoreactive leukotriene C4/D4/E4 (LTC4/D4/E4), and prostaglandin D2 (PGD2). All ten patients had been unresponsive to medical treatment, including oral corticosteroids in most cases. High concentrations of histamine, LTC4/D4/E4 and PGD2 were found in sinus fluid and were comparable to levels seen in nasal secretions of allergic rhinitis patients following allergen challenge. In the sinus fluid, inflammatory cells were predominantly neutrophils with only low percentages of mast cells, basophils or eosinophils. On the basis of the histamine and PGD2 concentrations in sinus fluid, we conclude that mast cell/basophil activation does occur in chronic sinusitis and may contribute to the persistent inflammation present in sinusitis.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Basophils; Body Fluids; Cell Count; Cell Degranulation; Child; Chronic Disease; Female; Histamine; Humans; Leukotriene C4; Leukotriene D4; Leukotriene E4; Male; Mast Cells; Middle Aged; Prostaglandin D2; Sinusitis; Therapeutic Irrigation

In the present study, the role of endogenous prostanoid synthesis in gastric mucosa in the healing of chronic gastric ulcers was investigated. Nineteen patients were divided into two groups in accordance with healing state after one month of treatment with cimetidine only: "healed group" and "unhealed group". Biopsy specimens taken from the mucosa around the ulceration (damaged gastric mucosa) and at a distance from the ulceration (normal gastric mucosa) at endoscopy prior to treatment were homogenized, and the mucosal prostanoid synthesis was determined using [14C]arachidonic acid. The mean value of prostaglandin E2 synthesis in the normal gastric mucosa of the healed group was 60% higher than in that of the unhealed group, but the difference was not significant. However, prostaglandin E2 synthesis in the damaged gastric mucosa of the healed group was 117% higher than in that of the unhealed group. The same tendency was observed for prostaglandin D2 and 6-keto prostaglandin F1 alpha synthesis as for prostaglandin E2. In our study it was demonstrated that there is a good correlation of prostaglandin synthesis in the damaged mucosa with healing of chronic gastric ulceration. Furthermore, our study indicated that prostaglandin synthesis, especially in damaged mucosa, might be important in the healing of gastric ulceration.

Topics: 6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha; Adult; Aged; Autoradiography; Chronic Disease; Cimetidine; Dinoprostone; Female; Gastric Mucosa; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Prostaglandin D2; Prostaglandins; Stomach Ulcer

Pancreatic production of lipid mediators of inflammation, including eicosanoids and platelet-activating factor (PAF), was examined in two models of pancreatitis in the rat. Chronic pancreatitis was induced by ligation of the pancreatic duct and acute pancreatitis by infusion of sodium taurocholate into the pancreatic duct. In the model of chronic pancreatitis, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), PGD2, 6-keto PGF1 alpha, thromboxane B2 (TXB2), and PAF increased significantly in the pancreas in a similar fashion, whereas leukotriene B4 (LTB4) remained unchanged. BN52021, a PAF antagonist, reduced the accumulation of pancreatic TXB2, 6-keto PGF1 alpha, and PGD2, and did not affect PGE2. In the model of acute pancreatitis, LTB4 increased, whereas PGE2, TXB2, and 6-keto PGF1 alpha decreased significantly; PGD2 changed slightly; and PAF was undetectable. The present results indicate that mild chronic pancreatitis is accompanied by the production and accumulation of a wide spectrum of lipid mediators while LTB4 was the only lipid mediator detected at biologically active concentrations in the model of severe acute pancreatitis. It is suggested that various mediators are involved in establishing a balance between inflammation and the repair of the inflamed pancreatic tissue observed in mild chronic pancreatitis. While both eicosanoids and PAF are involved in such self-limiting responses to inflammatory challenge, PAF seems to play a central role in instigating the production of the various other mediators detected in the model of chronic pancreatitis. In the model of acute pancreatitis while the deficiency of various lipid mediators may render the pancreatic tissue more susceptible to acute damage, enhanced LTB4 appears to contribute to the destructive pathology observed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Topics: 6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha; Acute Disease; Animals; Chronic Disease; Dinoprostone; Diterpenes; Eicosanoids; Ginkgolides; Lactones; Leukotriene B4; Ligation; Male; Masoprocol; Pancreatic Ducts; Pancreatitis; Platelet Activating Factor; Prostaglandin D2; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Taurocholic Acid; Thromboxane B2

We investigated the effects of prostaglandins (PG) E1, I2 and D2 on the pulmonary vascular bed of newborn rats subjected to chronic hypoxia. Forty seven newborn rats were exposed to chronic hypoxia (10% oxygen) for 23 days and divided into five groups which received PGE1 (N = 10), PGI2 (N = 9), PGD2 (N = 11), placebo (N = 9) or served as controls (N = 8). The PG's were administered by implanting slow release subcutaneous pellets delivering an average daily dose of 1 microgram. Thirteen newborn rats in room air received either placebo or served as controls. All rats were killed after 23 days and heart-lung preparations were perfusion fixed with glutaraldehyde. Appropriate blocks were processed for quantitative morphometry of the pulmonary parenchyma, arteries and arterioles. For analysis the pulmonary vessels were grouped by external diameter, i.e. 30-50 mu and 50-100 mu. External diameter/lumen diameter, an index of medial smooth muscle mass, was 1.39 +/- 0.02 in room air controls, this index of medial muscle mass was significantly increased (p less than 0.01) to 1.53 +/- 0.03 in hypoxic controls and the PGD2 and PGI2 groups. However, the PGE1 group did not have medial hypertrophy evidenced by a medial muscle mass index of 1.34 +/- 0.04, similar to room air controls. These findings suggest that PGE1 may prevent the development of medial hypertrophy that occurs in chronic hypoxia.

Topics: Alprostadil; Animals; Animals, Newborn; Arterioles; Body Weight; Chronic Disease; Epoprostenol; Female; Hematocrit; Hypoxia; Lung; Prostaglandin D2; Prostaglandins D; Pulmonary Artery; Pulmonary Veins; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Vasodilator Agents