Within the liver, the resident Kupifer cells and circulating blood cel
ls are the main producers of eicosanoids. Major arachidonic acid metab
olites produced and released by Kupffer cells are prostaglandin D-2, t
hromboxane B-2, prostaglandin E(2) and prostaglandin F-2 alpha. Eicosa
noids are removed from liver circulation by the uptake and degradation
of hepatocytes. Eicosanoids are capable to increase portal pressure,
to reduce liver oxygen uptake, to enhance glycogenolysis and to interf
ere with the cellular homeostasis of potassium and calcium. In Kupffer
cells prostaglandin E(2) reduces the lipopolysaccharide-induced synth
esis and secretion of cytokines but enhances the release of nitric oxi
de. The formation of eicosanoids in Kupffer cells is under the control
of glucocorticoids, the intracellular pH-value, calcium, cyclic AMP,
protein kinase C and albumin.