PHENOLS INHIBIT PROSTAGLANDIN E(2) SYNTHESIS IN A23187-STIMULATED HUMAN WHOLE-BLOOD AND MODIFY THE RATIO OF ARACHIDONIC-ACID METABOLITES

We have previously demonstrated that the phenolic compounds catechol, hydroquinone, and phenol increase the prostaglandin (PG) E(2)/leukotri ene (LT) B-4 ratio in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs), while resorcinol has the opposite effect, However, in human whole blood phe nols have a different effect on the thromboxane (TX) B-2/LT ratio than in PMNs on the PGE(2)/LTB(4) ratio, To establish whether the discrepa ncy between the results of our previous studies is due to different in dicators of prostaglandin H synthase activity in PMNs (PGE(2)) and in whole blood (TXB(2)), we measured the effect of phenols on PGE(2) synt hesis in whole blood, The phenols only inhibited PGE, synthesis (IC50 values for resorcinol, catechol, hydroquinone, and phenol of 10 mu M, 10 mu M, 60 mu M and 700 mu M, respectively), No significant stimulato ry activity was seen as earlier in PMNs. Thus, the effect of phenols o n PGE(2) synthesis in whole blood is different from that in PMNs, alth ough their order of potency to inhibit PGE(2) synthesis is the same.