Effects of A and B series prostaglandins on cAMP, cortisol and aldosterone production by the human adrenal

Abstract

PGA 1 and PGA 2 (10, 100 μg/ml) significantly increased human adrenal cAMP levels and cortisol output but low doses (1 μg/ml) depressed both parameters. Only 1 μg/ml PGA 1 significantly increased aldosterone output while higher doses depressed same. The low PGA 2 dose (1 μg/ml) depressed aldosterone output. The glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid outputs appear to be inversely modulated by prostaglandins. PGB 1 and PGB 2 behaved similarly to E type prostaglandins. However, like PGA 1, 1 μg/ml of PGB 1 or PGB 2 significantly increased aldosterone output. Higher doses were ineffective. The present findings reveal an increased complexity of prostaglandin modulation of cyclic nucleotides and steroid output.