Answer to Question #61103 in Chemistry for Amit Sharma

Question

What are prostaglandins? Explain their physiological roles in human beings.

Answer 1

Prostaglandins is a group of physiologically active lipid compounds having diverse having diverse hormone-like effects in animals. They were also found in almost every tissue of human beings. They are not stored but are synthesized upon need. Prostaglandins play a significant role of the local messenger in many normal functions, especially when cells are stimulated.
Migrating cells, especially phagocytes (cells which ingest; engulf), are directly involved with pain response. During phagocytosis (the act of engulfing; ingesting), enzymes designed for the digestion of foreign material, invading agents, and damaged cells may be discharged and act against the host tissues. Release of these enzymes results in production of prostaglandins, with consequent induction of pain.
Prostaglandins are one of the more potent mediators that cause increased blood flow, chemotaxis (chemical signals that summon white blood cells), and subsequent dysfunction of tissues and organs. They are a body's response to noxious agents, and as long as the noxious agents persist, prostaglandins will continue to be produced and add to the inflammatory process.
During an inflammatory process, infectious agents, toxins, and tissue fluids enter the circulation and cause fever. The evidence indicates this results from the production of prostaglandins in the central nervous system, specifically the anterior hypothalamus. With fever, depression (malaise) and inappetence may occur. Prostaglandins are also associated with these signs.
The production of fever by prostaglandins is supported by the fact that anti-inflammatory agents which inhibit prostaglandin production may also be antipyretic. It is not, therefore, surprising that both pain and fever are the first signs of inflammation to be relieved by antiprostaglandin therapy. Swelling and redness are alleviated more slowly.