Prostaglandin I2 and F2 in schistosomal cor pulmonale

ABSTRACT

This study was carried to study the prostaglandins in 15 schistosomal cor pulmonale patients [group I] and to compare them with schistosomal patients without cor pulmonale [group II, 10 patients] and normal controls [group III, 10 persons]. The levels of I2 degradation [6- keto PGF 1-alpha vasodilator] and PGF 2-alpha [vasoconstrictor] were measured in the groups. The plasma level of 6-keto PGF 1- alpha was significantly lower in group I as compared with other two groups as regards arterial and venous samples. The plasma level of PGF 2-alpha was significantly higher in both groups I and II, as regards the venous blood samples, in comparison with group III. However, the arterial blood samples showed insignificant difference between the three groups. The ratio of vasodilator prostaglandin [6- keto PGF 1- alpha] to the vasoconstrictor one [PGF 2-alpha] was significantly lower in group I as compared with group II and III and this probably plays an important role in the development of pulmonary hypertension