Endogenous inhibitor of prostaglandin synthetase

Mammalian serum and plasma contain an endogenous inhibitor of prostaglandin synthetase (EIPS). Human plasma fractions rich in EIPS show anti-inflammatory activity in vivo. In rats, glucocorticoids raise EIPS activity of plasma and serum. These findings suggest the existence of a natural mechanism of controlling prostaglandin synthesis, possibly related to corticosteroid action.

On the mode of action and biochemical properties of anti-inflammatory drugs-II

The inhibition of prostaglandin (PG) synthetase by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) is not well understood. Co-factors (glutathione and hydroquinone) are needed for maximum enzymatic activity in vitro, and we suggest that NSAID might inhibit PG synthetase partly by interfering with co-factor induced stimulation of the enzyme. This hypothesis was tested by: A) Examining the effect of glutathione, noradrenaline and hydroquinone on bull seminal vesicle (BSV) PG synthetase in vitro. The stimulatory effects were concentration-dependent. B) Three structurally distinct NSAID, indomethacin, aspirin and paracetamol, inhibited the stimulation by each co-factor in a concentration-related manner. Drug effectiveness also depended on the concentration of co-factor.

The local antinociceptive and topical anti-inflammatory effects of propyl gallate in rodents

1 In common with several anti-inflammatory, analgesic, local anaesthetic and antioxidant drugs, propyl gallate in vitro inhibited the biosynthesis of prostaglandin E2 and F2alpha from arachidonic acid by a prostaglandin synthetase from bull seminal vesicles. 2 In common with analgesic drugs, propyl gallate reduced the ability of arachidonic acid, acetylcholine or acetic acid to cause abdominal constriction in mice. 3 Using a new method for evaluating anti-inflammatory activity, we demonstrated the effectiveness of aspirin or indomethacin given subcuteneously before u.v. irradiation of guinea-pig ears, the prophylactic action of topically applied sunscreen agents and the therapeutic value of bufexamac and propyl gallate applied after irradiation.

Stimulation of prostaglandin biosynthesis by drugs: effects in vitro of some drugs affecting gut function

Low concentrations of several emetic, purgative or irritant drugs in the absence of added co-factors stimulated conversion of arachidonic acid to prostaglandin E2 and F2alpha by prostaglandin synthetase extracted from bull seminal vesicles (BSV prostaglandin synthetase). Their effect was dependent on concentration and time. Stimulation of BSV prostaglandin synthetase by apomorphine, aloes, tyramine or zingerone was increased several-fold by addition of reduced glutathione to the incubation medium, whereas hydroquinone, a phenolic co-factor of prostaglandin synthetase caused slight depression. From this finding and from the observation that many of the stimulant drugs possess a phenolic group, whereas their inactive relatives lack such a group, it is suggested that these stimulant drugs act as co-factors for prostaglandin synthetase in place of hydroquinone. Aloes, tyramine, ethanol and quipazine also produced a dose-related increase in resting tone of the isolated fundus of the rat stomach. This increase occurred at concentrations comparable to those effective in stimulating BSV prostaglandin synthetase, and was abolished by acetylsalicylate. These findings support the view that certain drugs exert some of their pharmacological effects by stimulating prostaglandin synthetase.

Inhibition of prostaglandin biosynthesis by sulphasalazine and its metabolites

Sulphasalazine (SZ) inhibits prostaglandin (PG) biosynthesis in vitro with a potency comparable to that of aceylsalicylate. The metabolites of SZ, sulphapyridine and 5-aminosalicylic acid, were of considerably lower potency as inhibitors of PG biosynthesis in the synthetase preparations used. Th inhibition of prostaglandin production by SZ could at least partly account for the clinical utility of sulphasalazine in ulcerative colitis. Sulphapyridine may help to maintain inhibitory concentrations of SZ by restraining bacterial breakdown of the active drug.