Sex differences in gallbladder prostaglandin synthesis mediated by acute inflammation

Abstract

The influences of sex and acute inflammation on prostaglandin biosynthesis in rabbit gallbladder were examined by radiochromatography. Male rabbit gallbladder microsomes converted small amounts of labelled arachidonate to total prostaglandin synthesis with PGE 2, 6-keto PGF 1α (stable metabolite of PGI 2) and PGF 2α as the major products synthesized. Microsomes from the male rabbit gallbladder inflamed by bile duct ligation for 3 days increased total prostaglandin synthesis five-fold with 6-keto PGF 1α being the major prostaglandin produced. Female rabbit gallbladder microsomes converted three times more arachidonate to total prostaglandin synthesis than did microsomes from the male rabbit. Bile duct ligation did not alter total prostaglandin biosynthesis in the female rabbit gallbladder, but significantly decreased synthesis of PGE 2, thromboxane B 2 and PGF 2α and increased synthesis of 6-keto PGF 1α. These data suggest that although bile duct ligation had different effects on male and female gallbladder total prostaglandin synthesis, 6-keto PGF 1α is the major product induced by this stimulus for acute inflammation.