CORE FOUNDATIONS FOR MEDICINE TUTORIAL ON EICOSANOIDS

Blood flow induces vasodilation

I. Blood flow induces prostacyclin (PGI) synthesis       II. Prostacyclin relaxes smooth muscle cells
  • Shear forces of blood flow stimulate a mechanoreceptor
  • Phospholipase A2 is activated
  • PGH synthesized by COX-1 and COX-2 is converted to PGI
     
     
  • PGI diffuses a short distance to neighboring smooth muscle cells
  • PGI binds to a Gs-linked G-protein coupled receptor
  • cAMP concentration increases
  • cAMP causes smooth muscle relaxation

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