Inhibition of prostaglandin biosynthesis by c-5,c-8,c-11-eicosatrienoic acid.

The enzyme prostaglandin H leads to E-isomerase (EC 5.3.99.3), which is present in sheep vesicular gland and needs glutathione as cofactor, is inhibited by c-5,c-8,c-11-eicosatrienoic acid, the fatty acid accumulating during essential fatty acid deficiency. The EFA-deficiency syndrome can partly be explained from a prostaglandin deficiency caused by lack of precursors. The present finding indicates that 5,8,11-eicosatrienoic acid could well be an additional factor in modifying the symptoms of EFA-deficiency.