Eicosanoids13a Core Foundations For Medicine Module N.Y.U. Medical School

CORE FOUNDATIONS FOR MEDICINE TUTORIAL ON EICOSANOIDS
Prostanoids

The prostanoids are a class of compounds that affect many physiological processes including pain, inflamation, fever, blood clotting, and smooth muscle contraction and relaxation.
Many drugs work by affecting prostanoid synthesis or action.
Prostnoids induce physiological effects in nearly all cells, but each cell type responds differently to each prostanoid.
Prostanoids are produced by nearly all cells, but different prostanoids are produced by different cell types.
Prostanoids share a common precursor (prostaglandin H) that is produced from arachidonic acid by one of two enzymes.
- cyclooxygenase 1 (COX-1)
- cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2)
It is not necessary to learn the structures, but you should note that prostanoids have the following features:
- a hydroxyl group on carbon 15 `
- a 5-carbon, oxygen containing ring (one prostanoid, thromboxane has a 6-membr ring)
  
  It is not necessary to learn these structures
All of the physiologically active prostanoids are produced by modifying prostaglandin H.
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