S. Karim, K. Hillier
2012
Citations
0
Influential Citations
4
Citations
Journal
Drugs
Abstract
SummaryProstaglandin research has been one of the most stimulating features of biomédical investigation in the past decade. Interest developed at a time of expanding knowledge of hormonal and neurohormonal behaviour and research work received a tremendous impetus in the early 1960s with the elucidation in Sweden of the chemical structures of prostaglandins, followed by the discovery of their biosynthetic pathways. The original findings of large amounts of prostaglandin in the male accessory genital glands and their secretions, and subsequent discovery in the menstrual and amniotic fluids linked these substances with human production. As a result of further investigation, clinical applications of prostaglandins for the induction of labour and termination of early unwanted pregnancies have been developed.Apart from the functions of the prostaglandins in the reproductive area, they have been shown to have a widespread distribution in the body and produce many different pharmacological effects. Prostaglandins are thought to be involved in the regulation of blood pressure and through their vascular effects have therapeutic potential in the treatment of hypertension and peripheral vascular disease. Through their bronchodilator effect, some prostaglandins may become useful in the treatment of asthma.