Antigastrolesive, gastric antisecretory, diarrheagenic and mucus-stimulating effects in rats following topically applied rioprostil, a synthetic prostaglandin E1 analog

Prostaglandins may have many biological actions including hypotensive and antipeptic ulcer activity. The purpose of this investigation was to determine if the primary alcohol prostaglandin E1 analog rioprostil1 prevents ethanol-induced gastric lesions (antigastrolesive activity), inhibits gastric acid secretion (antisecretory activity), or causes diarrhea in rats when administered topically, and to compare these responses to the effect of rioprostil following enteral (oral or intraduodenal) administration. Rioprostil exhibited antigastrolesive activity in rats when administered either orally or when applied topically. The topical antigastrolesive potency of rioprostil against ethanol-induced lesions [ED50 = 3.7 (0.5-12) micrograms/kg] was similar to its oral potency [ED50 = 1.9 (1.7-2.2) micrograms/kg]. In 4 hr pylorus-ligated rats, topically administered rioprostil inhibited total gastric acid output with a potency [ED50 = 5.1 (2.6-24) mg/kg] similar to intraduodenal administration [ED50 = 3.7 (2.8-5.3) mg/kg]. In addition, in these rats rioprostil increased mucin levels and did not cause dermal irritation. Finally, the incidence of diarrhea was lower when rioprostil was applied topically than when given orally with a 16-fold difference in potency between these two routes of administration. These data show that when rioprostil is applied via the skin it has antigastrolesive, gastric antisecretory and mucus stimulatory effects in rats equal to enteral administration, and a diarrheagenic potency lower than following oral administration. This profile suggests that topical administration of rioprostil may be a useful means of delivery for clinical treatment of peptic ulcer disease.     

Effect of prostaglandin E2, DL-cloprostenol,and prostaglandin E2 in combination with D-cloprostenol on uterine motility during diestrus in experimental cows

Prostaglandin F(2alpha) is used in dairy herd management because of its luteolytic properties and for its direct effect on the myometrium in cows diagnosed with endometritis. Prostaglandin E(2) has a contractile effect on the bovine uterus. In human medicine, prostaglandin E(2) is routinely used to maintain labor and to ripen the cervix. We hypothesized, that a combination of prostaglandin F(2alpha) and prostaglandin E(2) would provoke a long-lasting increase in intrauterine pressure (IUP) and uterine motility as compared to either prostaglandin group. Intrauterine pressure was recorded during the diestrus of eight lactating dairy cows using a transcervically placed intraluminal pressure microtransducer. After recording of physiologic uterine motility for 30min, prostaglandins (DL-cloprostenol, PGE(2), PGE(2) in combination with D-cloprostenol) or placebo were administered, followed by a 2h recording period. Significant differences were found for the area under the curve, the mean amplitude and the intrauterine pressure, whereas the number of pressure waves did not differ significantly among treatments. Peak values for area under the curve and mean amplitude were found during the first 15min for the combination of PGE(2) and D-cloprostenol. During the last 15min of the recording session, area under the curve and mean amplitude were increased only for the combination of PGE(2) and D-cloprostenol as compared to placebo. Although PGF(2alpha) and PGE(2) provoke an increase in intrauterine pressure, only their combination guarantees a significant effect over a 2h recording period.     

Effect of the prostaglandin E1 analog enisoprost on glucose and lipid metabolism in patients with type II diabetes mellitus.

Short-term studies have suggested that analogs of prostaglandin E may have favorable effects on the carbohydrate and lipid metabolism in patients with type II diabetes mellitus. The present study was undertaken to investigate the long-term effects of a prostaglandin E1 analog on the regulation of glycemic control and plasma lipids. Twenty patients with type II diabetes received enisoprost, 300 mcg/day, for three months. Fasting serum glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, insulin and C-peptide levels as well as triglyceride, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol and its subfractions, apolipoproteins B and AI and post-heparin lipoprotein lipase and hepatic triglyceride lipase activities were determined. During the first month, enisoprost treatment caused significant decreases in plasma glucose (baseline = 8.72 +/- 0.39 mmol/L, 4 week = 7.78 +/- 0.5 mmol/L, change = -0.94 +/- 0.28 mmol/L, p less than 0.01) and total cholesterol (baseline = 5.30 +/- 0.23 mmol/L, 4 week = 5.01 +/- 0.26 mmol/L, change = -0.28 +/- 0.06 mmol/L, p less than 0.05). The decrease in cholesterol level was due to a reduction in high density lipoprotein, specifically in high density lipoprotein2 fraction (baseline = 1.29 +/- 0.1 mmol/L, 4 week = 1.12 +/- 0.08 mmol/L, change = -0.018 +/- 0.04 mmol/L, p less than 0.05 for the former and baseline = 0.40 +/- 0.06 mmol/L, 4 week = 0.27 +/- 0.03 mmol/L, change = -0.12 +/- 0.03 mmol/L, p less than 0.05 for the latter): All of these values returned to the pretreatment levels despite continuation of enisoprost.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Treatment of vasospastic disease with prostaglandin E1.

Prostaglandin E1, a vasodilator and potent inhibitor of platelet aggregation, was administered to 26 patients with severe vasospastic disease of the hands. Patients tolerated infusions well and reported appreciable symptomatic improvement. Five of eight ischaemic ulcers healed in six weeks. Non-invasive studies of blood flow were used to observe haemodynamic changes during and after infusions. The Doppler-derived radial artery pulsatility index fell from 8.8 +/- 0.6 to 4.6 +/0 0.5 (mean +/- SEM), indicating hand vasodilatation. This fall was maintained 24 hours after infusion (5.9 +/- 0.9), but the index had returned to normal values at two weeks. The amplitude of finger pulse volume recordings increased (5.6 +/- 0.7 mm to 23.8 +/- 3.4 mm) and was raised two and six weeks after infusion (13.5 +/- 2.1 mm). Hand temperature measured by infrared radiometry also increased (27.4 +/- 0.7 degrees C to 31.2 +/- 1.2 degrees C). Intensity of digital vasospasm induced by cold water challenge was not objectively affected by prostaglandin E1 despite an increased finger temperature after infusion. Nevertheless, patients reported less frequent and severe attacks. Prostaglandin E1 given by central venous infusion is a safe new vasoactive agent that can produce appreciable symptomatic improvement by increasing digital perfusion, which may last for several weeks after treatment. Further study will define its mode of action and its place in the management of peripheral vascular disease.     

Pancreatic secretion in rats treated with intra-aortic prostaglandin E1

The effects from one dose of PGE1 on the endocrine pancreatic secretions have been studied in rat. The dose is injected i.a. very near the pancreas in the abdominal aorta at the level of the caeliac artery. Glycemia, insulinemia and glucagonemia are studied after i.v. glucose injection in: a) normal rats; b) rats free from their endogenous rate of PGs by previous treatment with indomethacin i.p. and c) with an excessive rate of PGE1. The treatment with PGE1 produces an inhibitory effect on the insulinic response to glucose, as well as hyperglycemia and hyperglucagonemia. In the cases without the endogenous rat of PGs the insulinic secretion as a response to glucose is greatly improved.     

Differential suppression of menstrual fluid prostaglandin F2a, prostaglandin E2, 6-keto prostaglandin F1a and thromboxane B2 by suprofen in women with primary dysmenorrhea

Eleven women with primary dysmenorrhea completed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, three-way cross-over study comparing 200 and 400mg suprofen. Menstrual fluid volume did not change. Mean+/-S.E.M. menstrual fluid PGF2a was significantly suppressed from 18.9+/-1.9 microg (placebo) to 10.9+/-1.7 and 9.3+/-2.1 microg with 200 and 400 mg suprofen, respectively (p=<0.005). PGE2 dropped from 7.8+/-0.9 to 4.6+/-0.8 and 4.6+/-1.1 microg (p=<0.05) and TxB2 from 17.5+/-4.3 to 7.5+/-2.9 and 3.6+/-1.3 microg (p=<0.01), respectively. 6-Keto PGF1a was significantly suppressed (2.7+/-0.4 to 1.9+/-0.5 microg, p=<0.025) with only 400 mg suprofen. Six subjects rated placebo poor and five fair to very good. In contrast, nine rated suprofen excellent to fair while two rated poor. Thus, suprofen was clinically effective but the differential suppression of prostanoids favors 200mg which spares 6-keto PGF1a.     

Membrane-bound prostaglandin E synthase-1-mediated prostaglandin E2 production by osteoblast plays a critical role in lipopolysaccharide-induced bone loss associated with inflammation

PGE(2) acts as a potent stimulator of bone resorption in several disorders including osteoarthritis and periodontitis. Three PGE synthases (PGES) were isolated for PGE(2) production, but which PGES has the major role in inflammatory bone resorption is still unclear. In this study, we examined the role of PGE(2) in LPS-induced bone resorption using membrane-bound PGES (mPGES)-1-deficient mice (mPges1(-/-)). In osteoblasts from wild-type mice, PGE(2) production was greatly stimulated by LPS following the expression of cyclooxygenase 2 and mPGES-1 mRNA, whereas no PGE(2) production was found in osteoblasts from mPges1(-/-). LPS administration reduced the bone volume in wild-type femur that was associated with an increased number of osteoclasts. In mPges1(-/-), however, LPS-induced bone loss was reduced. We next examined whether mPGES-1 deficiency could alter the alveolar bone loss in LPS-induced experimental periodontitis. LPS was injected into the lower gingiva and bone mineral density of alveolar bone was measured. LPS induced the loss of alveolar bone in wild-type, but not in mPges1(-/-) mice, suggesting an mPGES-1 deficiency resistant to LPS-induced periodontal bone resorption. To understand the pathway of LPS-induced PGE(2) production in osteoblast, we used C3H/HeJ mice with mutated tlr4. Osteoblasts from C3H/HeJ mice did not respond to LPS, and PGE(2) production was not altered at all. LPS-induced bone loss in the femur was also impaired in C3H/HeJ mice. Thus, LPS binds to TLR4 on osteoblasts that directly induce mPGES-1 expression for PGE(2) synthesis, leading to subsequent bone resorption. Therefore, mPGES-1 may provide a new target for the treatment of inflammatory bone disease.     

Interaction of prostaglandin E1 with human high density lipoproteins

The assembly of cytochrome c oxidase subunits I-III was studied in vitro in isolated rat liver mitochondria pre-labeled with [35S]methionine. Individual subunits were immunoabsorbed with monospecific antibodies. Isolated heme a from rat liver mitochondria, when added to radiolabeled mitochondria, induced assembly of subunit I with subunits II and III. Assembly of these subunits was not observed in mitochondria incubated in the presence of heme b(hemin) or in the absence of heme. Quantitative analysis of immunoabsorbed, radiolabeled subunits suggests that the predominant effect of heme a is on the assembly of subunit I with subunit III.     

Luteolysis and termination of early pregnancy in the rhesus monkey with prostalene,a synthetic prostaglandin analog

Prostalene, a synthetic prostaglandin (PG) analog was compared to PGF₂α for ability to both shorten the luteal phase and to terminate early, confirmed,pregnancy in the rhesus macaque. 15mg of either prostalene or PGF2a administered as a single intramuscular injection 30 days from last menstrual bleed aborted all treated animals. In contrast, while a single dose of 15mg of prostalene administered 7 days before expected menstruation to regularly cycling, non-pregnant monkeys shortened the luteal phase by 5.0 ± 0.7 days, the same dose regimen of PGF2a was ineffective whether judged by circulating levels of progesterone or by menstrual cycle length. Mean, peripheral, plasma progesterone levels in the non-pregnant monkeys declined abruptly following prostalene treatment. Although menstrual flow was of normal duration, the cycle length following the prostalene treated cycle was greater than pretreatment cycle lengths, suggesting that follicular maturation was not accelerated after treatment. Experiments in the mare and pregnant hamster demonstrated that a two fold increase in dose above the luteolytic dose of prostalene was required to ensure immediate return of ovulation. It is suggested that prostalene demonstrates both luteolytic and hypothalamo-pituitary stimulating properties but at different dose levels. The compound may thus be useful in dissecting the differing biological mechanisms concerned.     

A calcitonin-like action of prostaglandin E1

The pharmacological effects of PGE1 (6 and 9 days, 2-1,250 micrograms/kg per day subcutaneously) upon the growth and the bone resorption of mammals were studied using the proximal tibia and upper incisor of immature rats along with lead acetate as a time marker, and upon the serum calcium and inorganic phosphorus levels. The following results were obtained. 1. PGE1 hardly affected the body weight or the weight of organs of the rats but apparently inhibited the longitudinal growth of proximal tibia in a dose related manner. 2. PGE1 clearly inhibited not only the longitudinal growth (incisor growth) but also the appositional growth (dentin formation) of incisal dentin. 3. The grade of the inhibitory effect on the growth was in the order of bone growth greater than dentin formation greater than incisor growth. 4. The occurrence of osteoporosis due to a low calcium diet was inhibited by the simultaneous administration of PGE1, the mechanism being considered to be mainly due to the inhibitory effect on the bone resorption. 5. PGE1 lowered the level of serum calcium and the lowering effect was not observed in the thyro-parathyroidectomized rat. From the facts that the above effects were exactly the same as those of calcitonin (1), the possibility that the subcutaneous injection of PGE1 may induce a calcitonin-like action, a part of which may dependent on the calcitonin secretion is suggested.     

Stimulatory effect of prostaglandin E2 on 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 synthesis in rats.

The effect of prostaglandin E2 on accumulation in plasma of 1 alpha,25-dihydroxy[3H]vitamin D3 from 25-hydroxy[3H]vitamin D3 was studied in vivo using vitamin D-deficient thyroparathyroidectomized rats. Intra-arterial infusion of 10-50 micrograms of prostaglandin E2/h caused a significant stimulation of 1 alpha,25-dihydroxy[3H]vitamin D3 production. No significant changes in plasma Ca2+ and Pi concentrations or urinary cyclic AMP excretion were observed after prostaglandin E2 infusion. Theophylline did not enhance the effect of a submaximal dose of prostaglandin E2 on 1 alpha,25-dihydroxy[3H]vitamin D3 production. These data indicate that prostaglandin E2 stimulates plasma accumulation of 1 alpha,25-dihydroxy[3H]vitamin D3 independent of the adenylate cyclase/cyclic AMP system, and suggest that prostaglandin E2 has a modulatory role in the regulation of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 1 alpha-hydroxylase in the kidney.     

The effect of prostaglandin E1 on free fatty acid mobilization and transport

Summary Prostaglandin E₁ (administered by intravenous infusion at the dosis of 5.6g/kg/min.) (markedly decreases plasma free fatty acids in Sprague-Dawley rats treated with ACTH or norepinephrine or exposed to cold.The blocking effect is absent in fasted animals, indicating a specific effect of PGE₁ on the hormone-activated lipase.     

Molecular identification of cytosolic prostaglandin E2 synthase that is functionally coupled with cyclooxygenase-1 in immediate prostaglandin E2 biosynthesis

Here we report the molecular identification of cytosolic glutathione (GSH)-dependent prostaglandin (PG) E(2) synthase (cPGES), a terminal enzyme of the cyclooxygenase (COX)-1-mediated PGE(2) biosynthetic pathway. GSH-dependent PGES activity in the cytosol of rat brains, but not of other tissues, increased 3-fold after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge. Peptide microsequencing of purified enzyme revealed that it was identical to p23, which is reportedly the weakly bound component of the steroid hormone receptor/hsp90 complex. Recombinant p23 expressed in Escherichia coli and 293 cells exhibited all the features of PGES activity detected in rat brain cytosol. A tyrosine residue near the N terminus (Tyr(9)), which is known to be critical for the activity of cytosolic GSH S-transferases, was essential for PGES activity. The expression of cPGES/p23 was constitutive and was unaltered by proinflammatory stimuli in various cells and tissues, except that it was increased significantly in rat brain after LPS treatment. cPGES/p23 was functionally linked with COX-1 in marked preference to COX-2 to produce PGE(2) from exogenous and endogenous arachidonic acid, the latter being supplied by cytosolic phospholipase A(2) in the immediate response. Thus, functional coupling between COX-1 and cPGES/p23 may contribute to production of the PGE(2) that plays a role in maintenance of tissue homeostasis.     

AL-12182, a novel 11-oxa prostaglandin analog with topical ocular hypotensive activity in the monkey

A series of 11-oxa prostaglandin analogs was evaluated for FP receptor binding and activation. Several compounds having aryloxy-terminated lower chains were found to be potent agonists. Topical ocular dosing of AL-12182, the isopropyl ester prodrug of the potent agonist 13, lowered intraocular pressure in the monkey by 40% accompanied by minimal conjunctival hyperemia in the rabbit. AL-12182 was synthesized on multigram scale starting with D-sorbitol.