The action of PGE1, PGE2, PGI2 and iloprost on superoxide anion generation, lysosomal enzyme release, and changes of Ca2+ fluxes in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) was studied in vitro. Both PGE-type compounds were equipotent inhibitors of FMLP-and PAF-stimulated superoxide anion generation, beta-glucuronidase release (IC50 3-5 mumol/l) and Ca2+ influx while PGI2 and iloprost were ineffective at concentrations up to 10 mumol/l. These inhibitory actions of PGE1 and PGE2 were paralleled by an increase in cAMP level of the PMN while no change occurred with PGI2 and iloprost. None of the prostaglandins affected the initial intracellular Ca2+ liberation after challenge with FMLP or PAF. Preincubation of PMN with PGE1 and PGE2 but not with iloprost resulted in subsequent desensitization against a second administration of these compounds. None of the compounds affected PMN activation produced by arachidonic acid or calcimycin (A 23187). These data demonstrate that PGE-type compounds are effective inhibitors of receptor-mediated (PAF, FMLP) activation of human PMN while prostacyclins are considerably less potent. This suggests that the inhibitory prostaglandin receptor on human PMN belongs to the E-type being functionally different from the inhibitory prostaglandin receptor on human platelets. These results suggest that compounds, such as PGE1 and PGE2 might be superior to prostacyclins to prevent PMN-associated generation of reactive oxygen species and lysosomal enzyme release in situations with endogenous PMN activation, i.e. inflammatory reactions.
Current dogma associates reperfusion injury with the introduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) into the ischemic tissue. The sources of ROS under discussion are xanthine oxidase in the endothelium of small vessels and/or invaded polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN). The beneficial effects of both superoxide dismutase and catalase suggest an involvement of superoxide anions and hydrogen peroxide in this pathophysiological process, without describing the targets of their action. In our work we demonstrate that these two ROS effectively interact with two enzymes. Superoxide anions inhibit soluble guanylate cyclase. Its product, cGMP, is considered to antagonize platelet activation and to cause smooth muscle relaxation. Thus O2- can intensify platelet aggregability and small vessel occlusion. Similar effects are elicited by H2O2, which shifts the dose response curve of several agonists towards smaller concentrations by activating cyclooxygenase. This enzyme provides the substrate for thromboxane synthase which generates TxA2, the most potent physiologically occurring platelet aggregating and smooth muscle contacting agonist. These results lead us to the suggestion that the influence of the oxidative burst of PMN in the phenomenon of reperfusion injury should be reconsidered.
Arachidonic acid (20:4) is liberated from membrane phospholipids by the action of phospholipase A, (PLA,). One pathway of metabolism is the oxygenation by membrane-bound cyclo-oxygenase to form prostaglandin (PG) endoperoxides. They are either isomerized to PGD,, PGE, and PGF,, or are substrates for thromboxane and prostacyclin synthase. Other arachidonic acid (20:4) metabolizing enzymes are cytosolic lipoxygenases which catalyse the incorporation of one oxygen molecule into 20:4 at the 5-, 12-, or 15-position.
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