Dr David McGrath

Spine Physician

MB BS (Hons) FAFOM, RACP, FAFMM
Master of Pain Medicine

Eicosanoids (Lipid Messengers)

1. Generated from PUFA in Phosholipids of membrane, or other components of phospho-lipids.
2. Prostaglandins+Prostacyclins+Thromboxanes=Prostanoids
3. Non steroidal anti-inflammatories block COX enzyme (ie prostaglandins)
4. Prostaglandins omega6=2 series omega3=3 seies

Cell Origin	Class	Arachidonic Acid C20n=4,6	Cell Target
Monocytes Platelets	Thromboxanes (Cyclo/oxygenases) COX	TXB2 TXA2	Platelet aggregation Constrict Blood Vessals Consrict Airways
	Prostacyclins (COX)	PGI2 PGG2 PGH2	PGI2 Potent Vasodilator
	Prostaglandins (COX)	PGD2 PGE2 PGF2	Potent Vasodilators Increase Permeability
	Lipoxins (15-lip/oxygenases)	15-HPETE LXA4 LXB4	Changes in Microcirculation Vasodilation, Inhibit Natural Killer T Cells
Monocytes Macrophages	Leukotrienes (5-lip/oxygenase	5-HPETE 5-HETE LTA4 LTB4 LTC4 LTD4 LTE4 LTF4	Slow reacting Substance of Anaphylaxis (SRS-A) Contraction of Smooth Muscle Mucus Secretion
Platelets	Platelet-ActivatingFactors (PAF's)	Phosphatidylcholine to Ether analogs	Platelet Aggregation Phagocyte Chemotaxis Endothelial Stickiness for Leukocytes
		EPA (Omega3) C20n5,3
	Prostacyclins	PGE3 PGI3
	Thromboxanes	TXA3
	Leukotrienes	LTB5 LTC D E5
		DGLA C20n3,6 Dihomo-gamma liolenic acid
	Prostacyclin	PGE1 (parogen)	Stimulates CRP from liver Binds to a variety of polysaccharides in bacteria

(to be continued)