Prostaglandins E1 and E2, but not F2alpha or latanoprost, inhibit monkey ciliary muscle contraction

Interaction of endocannabinoid system and cyclooxygenase metabolites with fatty acid amide hydrolase and cyclooxygenase enzyme activities on contractile responses in rat vas deferens tissue

The endocannabinoid system and prostaglandins are important modulators in the genitourinary system. This study aimed to investigate the possible interactions between the endocannabinoid system and the cyclooxygenase (COX) pathway on rat vas deferens. For this purpose, the concentration responses of the endocannabinoid anandamide, prostaglandin F2α analog latanoprost, and prostaglandin E1 analog misoprostol on the electrical field stimulation (EFS)-induced contractile responses were obtained. The concentration responses to anandamide were obtained again in the presence of nonselective COX inhibitor flurbiprofen and prostaglandin analogs, while the concentration responses of latanoprost and misoprostol were obtained in the presence of cannabinoid receptor antagonists and fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) enzyme inhibitor URB597. FAAH, COX-1, and COX-2 enzyme levels in vas deferens tissue samples were also determined. The cumulative addition of anandamide was not different from the vehicle; however, the EFS-induced contractile responses were significantly increased with the incubation of latanoprost or flurbiprofen in the prostatic portion. Flurbiprofen and misoprostol decreased FAAH enzyme levels in both portions of the vas deferens, while latanoprost induced the inhibition in the prostatic portion. The cumulative administration of latanoprost and misoprostol significantly enhanced the contractile responses in the prostatic portion. This effect of latanoprost was significantly antagonized by URB597 and AM251. The enhancing effect of misoprostol was antagonized by anandamide, URB597, AM251, and AM630. Anandamide, AM251, AM630, and URB597 decreased enzyme levels of COX-1 and COX-2 in both portions of the vas deferens. These results demonstrate an intricate crosstalk between endocannabinoids and prostaglandins in modulation of the vas deferens contractility.

Role of COX-2 for Successful Embryo Implantation Process: A Mini-review

The endometrium undergoes a dynamic proliferation of cells and vascular tissue under the influence of ovarian steroid hormones. Implantation is an essential process in the development of pregnancy, where there is close contact between embryo and uterus, including supposition, adhesion, and invasion. The changes occur in the human endometrium, including endometrial secretion changes, blood vessels, and immune response, leading to the uterine receptivity period. Cyclooxygenase (COX) is an enzyme that plays a role in the metabolic conversion of arachidonic acid to prostaglandins (PG). It is known that Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) plays a key role in the endometrium. COX-2 is essential for blastocyst implantation and decidualization. The deficiency of COX-2, but not COX-1, results in multiple female reproductive failures (including implantation defects). We reviewed the literature on COX-2 and embryonal implantation in the endometrium and its potential mechanisms that lead to physiological implantation. This review aims to identify the essential roles of COX-2 in the successful implantation process, especially in decidualization, implantation, and embryo growth. The regulation of COX-2 expression in endometrial cells is controlled by ovarian steroid hormones (progesterone and estrogen) through the ENaC pathway to regulate the phosphorylation CREB transcription factor. The presentation of COX-2 varies throughout the stage of embryo development.

Diverse roles of prostaglandins in blastocyst implantation

Prostaglandins (PGs), derivatives of arachidonic acid, play an indispensable role in embryo implantation. PGs have been reported to participate in the increase in vascular permeability, stromal decidualization, blastocyst growth and development, leukocyte recruitment, embryo transport, trophoblast invasion, and extracellular matrix remodeling during implantation. Deranged PGs syntheses and actions will result in implantation failure. This review summarizes up-to-date literatures on the role of PGs in blastocyst implantation which could provide a broad perspective to guide further research in this field.

Alterations in anterior chamber depth in primary open-angle glaucoma patients during latanoprost therapy

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in the anterior chamber depth (ACD) in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) patients during latanoprost therapy.

METHODS

We carried out a prospective study in which we enrolled 66 newly diagnosed POAG patients treated with latanoprost 0.005% (group 1) and 50 ocular hypertensive and ⁄ or glaucoma suspect cases who were given no therapy (group 2 [control]). Measurements of the ACD were performed by A-scan ultrasonography before and after cycloplegia at baseline and at 3 months of latanoprost therapy. Differences in ACD and their correlations with the ocular hypotensive effect of the agent as well as the clinical significance of changes in ACD were analysed using Student’s t-test and Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

RESULTS

Mean baseline ACD was 3.13 ± 0.35 mm (range 2.45–3.84 mm) in group 1 and 3.14 ± 0.36 mm (range 2.54–3.80 mm) in group 2 (p = 0.89). At 1 hour after instillation of cyclopentolate 1%, mean ACD in groups 1 and 2 was 3.18 ± 0.38 mm (range 2.45–3.92 mm) and 3.19 ± 0.37 mm (range 2.56–3.91 mm), respectively (p = 0.91). After 3 months of treatment, mean ACD in group 1 both without (3.05 ± 0.36 mm, range 2.14–3.76 mm) and with (3.09 ± 0.4 mm, range 2.20–3.96 mm) cycloplegia was significantly reduced compared with baseline values (p < 0.001 for both). However, there was no significant difference between mean ACD at baseline and that at month 3 in group 2. No correlation was demonstrated between the changes in ACD and the ocular hypotensive effect of latanoprost (p = 0.96, r = – 0.006). There were no changes in refractive status or visual acuity.

CONCLUSIONS

The overall results seem to suggest that latanoprost decreases mean ACD in patients with POAG. The clinical significance of this effect is uncertain.

Update on the mechanism of action of topical prostaglandins for intraocular pressure reduction

A decade has passed since the first topical prostaglandin analog was prescribed to reduce intraocular pressure (IOP) for the treatment of glaucoma. Now four prostaglandin analogs are available for clinical use around the world and more are in development. The three most efficacious of these drugs are latanoprost, travoprost, and bimatoprost, and their effects on IOP and aqueous humor dynamics are similar. A consistent finding is a substantial increase in uveoscleral outflow and a less consistent finding is an increase in trabecular outflow facility. Aqueous flow appears to be slightly stimulated as well. Prostaglandin receptors and their associated mRNAs have been located in the trabecular meshwork, ciliary muscle, and sclera, providing evidence that endogenous prostaglandins have a functional role in aqueous humor drainage. Earlier evidence found that topical PG analogs release endogenous prostaglandins. One well-studied mechanism for the enhancement of outflow by prostaglandins is the regulation of matrix metalloproteinases and remodeling of extracellular matrix. Other proposed mechanisms include widening of the connective tissue-filled spaces and changes in the shape of cells. All of these mechanisms alter the permeability of tissues of the outflow pathways leading to changes in outflow resistance and/or outflow rates. This review summarizes recent (since 2000) animal and clinical studies of the effects of topical prostaglandin analogs on aqueous humor dynamics and recent cellular and molecular studies designed to clarify the outflow effects.