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Chapter 26: Lipids |
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Prostaglandins
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Prostaglandins are a family of important chemicals involved in a variety
of biological regulatory functions and are found in most biological tissues.
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The name is derived from the fact that the original members of the series
were derived from the prostate gland (in sheep).
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Structurally, they are a C20 system containing a cyclopentane
unit, a carboxylic acid functional group and -OH groups at C11 and C15.
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They are divided into series A, B, C, D, E and F depending on the cyclopentane
substituents.
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Aspirin is known to inhibit an enzyme involved in prostaglandin biosynthesis
so lowering the prostaglandin levels in the body and as a result, lowering
pain and inflammation.
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They are biosynthesised is from C20 fatty acids, such as arachidonic
acid, which in turn are formed from linoleic acid.
