Interactions Between the Prostaglandins and Steroid Hormones

Abstract

This chapter discusses the interactions between the steroids and prostaglandins. The widespread distribution of prostaglandins throughout the animal kingdom is a consequence of their ready formation from the ubiquitous C 20 polyunsaturated fatty acids; the latter possess both structural and functional properties, which implies that the event of their metabolism to form the prostaglandins. Attempts have been made to extrapolate results obtained with high concentrations of prostaglandins in pharmacological test systems to in vivo situations and to identify a biological role for the naturally occurring compounds. The prostaglandins have been observed to modify more than one function within the same tissue. Information is now available that indicates that the prostaglandins modify cyclic AMP formation in many tissues and can thereby increase or attenuate hormonal responses. The prostaglandins exhibit such a number of actions that undesirable side effects, primarily stimulation of the gastrointestinal tract and modification of platelet aggregation and red cell deformability, are likely to curtail their clinical application following systemic administration. The role for calcium in the action of prostaglandins has received much attention but has yet not been defined. An understanding of the precise mechanism of action of pharmacological doses of the prostaglandins should lead to the possibility of manipulation and control of the endogenous prostaglandins with concomitant modification of tissue function, including those tissues associated with the release and action of steroids.