Prostaglandin E2

Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) is a hormone-like substance that participate in a wide range of body functions such as the contraction and relaxation of smooth muscle, the dilation and constriction of blood vessels, control of blood pressure, and modulation of inflammation. In Vitro: PGE2 shows inhibition of IL 2 production in the mixture of irradiated and nonirradiated T lymphocytes. PGE2 (0.1-10 μM) dose-dependently inhibits the production of IL 2. PGE2 acts during the inductive phase of activation of suppressor cells. Preincubation of T lymphocytes with PGE2 induces cells that suppress IL 2 production and PHA proliferation^[1]. In Vivo: Prostaglandin E2 can be used in animal modeling to construct a rat pain model.

PGE2 (0.3 μg/k, i.p.) significantly reduces the number of peritoneab macrophages undergoing phagocytosis of the methacrybate microbeads in rats^[2]. PGE2 (0.1 mg/min, i.a.) increases renal blood flow. PGE2 produces a biphasic change in renal vascular resistance, vasodilatation starts at 0.01 mg/min and is maximal at about 3 mg/min, while at the highest dose used (20 mg/min) PGE2 induces renal vasoconstriction^[3].