[Prostaglandins and lung]

Abstract

The physiologic and pathophysiologic role of the prostaglandins in the lung is not fully understood. Prostaglandins seem to be important in the regulation of local blood flow. They might be involved in relaxation of the pulmonary vascular bed by opposing hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction and in constriction of the pulmonary vascular bed after microembolisation. The tonus of bronchial muscle is also probably modulated by the prostaglandins. Prostaglandin degradation in the lung might be another physiological role of lung function, which would allow the regulation of arterial blood levels. It is not known if this is of importance for the regulation of systemic, or other local circulations. If prostaglandins are primarily involved in patients with asthma is not clear, secondary effects at least, are probable. The therapeutic aspects of exogen administered prostaglandins are thus far of little clinical importance for the lung.