Prostacyclin, or PGI(2), is an end product derived from the sequential metabolism of arachidonic acid via cyclooxygenase and PGI synthase (PGIS). The receptor for PGI(2), IP, can be found on a variety of cell types and signaling through this receptor exhibits broad physiological effects. Historically, PGI(2) has been understood to play a role in cardiovascular health, specifically having powerf...

Prostaglandins participate in a variety of female reproductive processes, including ovulation, fertilization, embryo implantation and parturition. In particular, maternal prostacyclin (PGI(2)) is critical for embryo implantation and the action of PGI(2) is not mediated via its G-protein-coupled membrane receptor, IP, but its nuclear receptor, peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor δ (PPARδ)...

In the present study we hypothesized that endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) enhance production of vasoprotective substances in cerebral arteries. Isolated mononuclear cells from rabbit peripheral blood were cultured in endothelial growth medium (EGM-2) for 7 days to yield EPCs. Rabbit basilar arteries were exposed to autologous EPCs ( approximately 5x10(5) cells) in vitro or in vivo. Twenty-f...

Endothelial cells synthesize prostacyclin (PGI(2)), an unstable prostaglandin that inhibits platelet aggregation and serotonin release. Because cyclooxygenase, which is necessary for synthesis of PGI(2), is inactivated by aspirin, we examined the effect of aspirin on PGI(2) production by cultured human endothelial cells. Endothelial cells synthesize PGI(2) (20.1+/-7.2 ng/10(6) cells, mean+/-SD)...

in the present study, the effects of formalin as a peripheral noxious stimulus on spontaneously active units of the nucleus reticularis paragigantocellularis (pgi), a narrow region of the ventral pontine reticular formation, was examined in urethane anesthetized rats. spontaneous discharge of the pgi neurons was variable, ranging from i to 37 spikes per second. formalin as a chemical irritant a...

Prostacyclin (PGI(2)) is a member of the prostanoid group of eicosanoids that regulate homeostasis, hemostasis, smooth muscle function and inflammation. Prostanoids are derived from arachidonic acid by the sequential actions of phospholipase A(2), cyclooxygenase (COX), and specific prostaglandin (PG) synthases. There are two major COX enzymes, COX1 and COX2, that differ in structure, tissue dis...

Proliferative gill inflammation (PGI) is an important cause of loss in seawater-farmed Atlantic salmon in Norway. Several microbes have been associated with PGI, including the commonly but not exclusively observed inclusions (epitheliocysts) within the gill lamellae related to infection with 'Candidatus Piscichlamydia salmonis'. Atlantic salmon transferred in the spring of 2004 to 12 seawater f...

Prostacyclin (PGI(2)) is the most potent, naturally occurring inhibitor of platelet aggregation known. To determine whether PGI(2) is bound by platelets, high specific activity [9-(3)H]PGI(2) was synthesized by iodination and subsequent base treatment of the labeled precursor [9-(3)H]prostaglandin (PG)F(2alpha) methyl ester. Binding experiments were performed at room temperature with normal cit...

The Zymomonas mobilis gene encoding phosphoglucose isomerase (pgi) was cloned by genetic complementation of an Escherichia coli pgi mutant. An enzyme assay and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis confirmed the presence of excess amounts of phosphoglucose isomerase in E. coli clones carrying the Z. mobilis pgi gene. The pgi gene is present in only one copy on the Z. mobilis...

Studies have shown that following opiate withdrawal, the spontaneous discharge rate of locus coeruleus (LC) neurons remarkably increases. Combination of intrinsic mechanisms with extrinsic excitatory modulations mediates the withdrawal-induced hyperactivity of LC neurons. The nucleus paragigantocellularis (PGi) provides the main excitatory inputs to LC and plays a pivotal role in opiate withdra...