Effect of dietary fatty acids on experimental manifestation of Salmonella-associated arthritis in rats. II. Effect of dietary fatty acids on experimental manifestation of Salmonella-associated arthritis in rats

Changes in the fatty acid composition of immune cells and plasma by intravenous injection of dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid in mice

An injectable emulsion of 10% tridihomo-gamma-linolenoyl glycerol (DGLA-TG, 96% pure) was prepared. 0.5 ml of the emulsion was injected into tail veins of 6-week-old C3H/HeSlc mice. They were killed 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 h after the injection. The fatty acid composition of the phospholipid (PL) fraction of plasma, splenocytes and thymocytes was analysed along with that of control mice. DGLA concentrations increased markedly 1 h after the injection in the plasma (from 2.2% to 13.2%) and splenocyte (from 1.1% to 10.1%) PL fractions; they decreased rapidly thereafter. On the other hand, DGLA concentrations in the thymocyte PL fraction did not increase markedly. These data may be useful for planning animal experiments with DGLA emulsions, should these be developed as an experimental drug in the future.

Eicosanoids and rheumatology: inflammatory and vascular aspects

Eicosanoids are not only involved in inflammation but also are important in the maintenance of blood vessel tone and blood flow. This may be relevant in the rheumatological disorders of vasculitis and RS. Although little work has been carried out in vasculitis, the beneficial effects of the natural and synthetic antiplatelet vasodilator PGs in RS are well documented. Less well tested has been the effects of manipulation of AA metabolism. It should be remembered however that many patients with Raynaud's Phenomenon do not have an associated rheumatological disorder. Conservative management with vasodilators such as the calcium channel blockers may be very successful (119). At the present time PG treatment should be reserved for patients with severe RS, particularly those whose Raynaud's is complicated by digital ulceration.

Prostaglandin E1: a review

Work on the structure of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1), isolated from natural sources, was completed 25 years ago (1). Shortly after, methods for the chemical synthesis of PG with their natural configuration were developed in the laboratories of the UpJohn Company (2) and of E. J. Corey (3) and, by the late sixties, PGE1 became widely available. The information since accumulated about its biological and clinical effects is more substantial than for any other PG. This review will draw together some of this information, focusing on recent studies of its mechanisms of action.