Eicosanoids and the small intestine

Prostaglandins play an important role in modulation of various physiologic processes in the small intestine. In this review, the involvement of prostaglandins in various small-intestinal functions including small-intestinal secretion, mucosal protection, epithelial and endothelial barrier function, and motility are discussed.     

Eicosanoids and the esophagus

Eicosanoids are products of arachidonic acid metabolism. Among the products produced are the prostaglandins and leukotrienes, products which are known to play important roles in health and disease of many gastrointestinal tissues. Here, we review current knowledge about eicosanoids in the esophagus, including production in healthy and diseased tissues and potential physiologic and pathophysiologic effects in two important esophageal mucosal disorders, reflux esophagitis and esophageal cancer.     

Eicosanoids and the stomach

Eicosanoids are arachidonic acid derivatives that include prostaglandins, thromboxanes, and leukotrienes. During the last three decades, it has become evident that these bioactive lipids play a pivotal role in gastric physiology. The goal of the present review is to describe their involvement in the normal regulation of gastric secretion and gastric motility, as well as in gastric mucosal defense. Their role in gastric mucosal mitogenesis, apoptosis, inflammation, and immune modulatory responses is also discussed.     

Endometriosis of the large intestine]

Two cases of large intestine endometriosis are presented. The disease was diagnosed during histological examination of samples taken during surgery. Clinically one case was diagnosed as Crohn's disease, while the second as cancer of the large intestine. The authors suggest, that an extent of surgery for, tumours of the large intestine should be carefully planned, specially if the tissue specimen was not examined histologically earlier.     

Eicosanoids and skin

A better understanding of the physiological and pathological roles of lipoxygenase metabolites on skin will be obtained with the development of safe and specific 5- and 12-lipoxygenase inhibitors. Lipocortins have been cloned and the results of clinical trials with them should provide further insight into the mechanism(s) of action of steroids on skin diseases.