Prostaglandins

A prostaglandin is a group of lipids that are secreted at the site of tissue damage or any kind of infection. This hormone secretion deals with injury and illness and controls different biological processes such as inflammation, blood flow, the formation of blood clots, induction of labour etc.

Prostaglandin

Prostaglandin is created at the site of tissue damage or infection, unlike other hormones that are created by glands and transported through the bloodstream to act in different parts of the body. The hormone starts the healing process through inflammation at the damaged site, pain, and fever. For example, aspirin works by stopping the hormone prostaglandin. When a blood vessel gets injured, a prostaglandin named thromboxane helps to cool the blood and accelerates the healing process. It also causes contractions in blood vessels to try to prevent blood loss. In addition, another prostaglandin known as prostacyclin works in the opposite direction of thromboxane. It reduces blood clotting and causes the blood vessels to relax. It regulates blood flow and responses to injury and inflammation. Prostaglandin also controls the female reproductive system.

Functions of Prostaglandins

The prostaglandin can be found in almost every human and animal tissue. In the plant body, prostaglandin regulates processes such as plant reproduction, fruit ripening, and flowering. In the human body, this hormone regulates blood pressure by contracting and relaxing blood vessels. It stimulates a reaction in local tissue. Prostaglandin plays the most important role in blood clotting. Prostaglandin is also found in the kidneys and it increases the amount of sodium in the urine. Apart from decreasing blood flow, thromboxane also increases blood pressure. It also plays a pivotal role in inflammation, a situation that is characterised by redness, heat, pain, and swelling. This leads to the blood vessels becoming more permeable, which in turn leads to the secretion of white blood cells. This hormone also smooths muscle contraction. For women, it plays a vital role in ovulation and stimulates uterine muscle contraction. This helps to treat menstrual cramps, and it also plays a vital role in inducing labour in pregnant women. Prostaglandin is also given to induce therapeutic abortions. The digestive system is also hugely influenced by the secretion of this hormone. It stimulates the contraction of the smooth muscles of the intestinal walls. It also helps in the secretion of gastric acid. The function of prostaglandin in the digestive tract can also cause severe diarrhoea. This hormone acts primarily locally and only in the areas surrounding where it is released; it is found in almost every organ. Some major functions of this hormone include:

• It controls pain, redness, swelling and deals with healing and inflammatory response.
• It regulates immune cells and helps with blood clotting.
• It plays a vital role in the inhibition of gastrointestinal acid secretion.
• It reduces pressure in the eye.
• It regulates the menstrual cycle, which includes ovulation and menstrual cramps.
• It induces labour pains during pregnancy.

Types of prostaglandins

There are several types of prostaglandins, like PGD2, PGE2, PGF2, PGI2, etc. The names of the prostaglandins are 1) Prepidil, 2) Veltri etc.

PG1 has different functions, such as blood clotting, platelet aggregation, etc. PGD2 is produced by mast cells, and it recruits eosinophils and basophils. A large amount of this hormone is also found in the brain. It is critical to the development of allergic diseases such as asthma. EP1 helps in muscle contraction. Muscle relaxation and blood clotting are helped by EP2. PGE2 helps in acid, gastric mucus secretion, uterine contraction during pregnancy, muscle contraction, and platelet response. Also, these kinds of hormones help in urinary bladder contraction and play a major role in the cerebral circulation. Synthetic prostaglandin is used to induce childbirth, abortions and also to induce labour pains. It helps to prevent the closure of the ductus arteriosus in newborns, especially with hereditary conditions. It also helps with pulmonary hypertension and the treatment of glaucoma. It is also used to treat erectile dysfunction or in penile rehabilitation following surgery. It also helps treat egg binding in small birds. There are recently known to be 10 prostaglandin receptors on various cell types. These receptors are termed DP 1-2, EP 1-4, FP, IP 1-2, and TP. The hormones have several effects, such as creating eicosanoids, acting on the thermoregulatory centre of the hypothalamus to produce fever, and increasing mating behaviour in goldfish. Prostaglandin is also released during menstruation. Release of prostaglandin and other inflammatory mediators causes contraction of the uterus. Also, cold exposure and IUDs can increase prostaglandin production.

Conclusion

Prostaglandin is an important hormone that is present in almost every organ and plays a vital role in all biological processes. They are lipid molecules that act as hormones in the body and are essential for healing. This article covers concepts relevant to Prostaglandin such as the types and functions in the body. These concepts are very important for different entrance exam aspirants.