ABSTRACT
Plasma and BALF PGF[2alpha] were estimated in 30 patients with bronchial asthma and 10 apparently healthy subjects in order to clarify its role in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma and its possible relation to the disease severity.The results showed a significant increase in plasma PGF[2alpha] [3 folds] and a highly significant increase in BALF PGF[2alpha] [5 folds] in bronchial asthma pateints. This rise was apparent in different subgroups of asthmatic pateints [extrinsic intrinsic mild, moderate and severe] when compared with the control group. A significant positive correlation was observed between plasma PGF[2alpha] and BALF PGF[2alpha] While a non-significant negative correlation between both plasma PGF[2alpha] and BALF PGF[2alpha] and either FEV[1]/FVC% or blood eosinophil count. In conclusion the highly raised bronchoalveolar lavage fluid PGF[2alpha] [5 times] in bronchial asthma patients suggests its local release and the slightly raised plasma PGF[2alpha] [3folds] in bronchial asthma patient may be a reflection of its local production