PROSTAGLANDINS AND COLLAGEN-METABOLISM IN CHRONIC HEPATIC DISEASES

Pg E, F2alpha and F1alpha, protein-bound plasmic oxiproline (PBPO) as well as 24-h oxyprolinurea (OPU) were measured in 119 patients sufferi ng from various forms of chronic hepatic diseases. Composition of cell ular infiltrates in histological specimens was assessed quantitatively for chronic hepatitis patients. Hepatic levels of Pg E, OPU and PBPO were elevated in all the patients, whereas PgF2alpha and 6-keto-PgF1al pha values were similar to controls. There were relationships between PBPO and OPU, PgE and 6-keto-PgF1alpha. Unlike patients with active he patitis and hepatic cirrhosis, those with chronic persistent hepatitis demonstrated a direct correlation between cellular infiltrate fibrobl asts and PgE, PgF2alpha; between PgF2alpha and Kupffer's cells 'conten t. Inverse relationship occurred between PgE and free hepatic macropha ges. In response to prostenon (PGE2) moderate PBPO decline went in lin e with elevation of cAMP/cGMP. A significant increase of PBPO during i ntroduction of ensaprost-F (PgF2alpha) did not result in changes in cy clic nucleotides. Prostenon treatment decreased PBPO under no shifts i n OPU. A regulatory role of PgE is suggested in collagen metabolism st abilization. Prostenon is proposed for therapeutic use to inhibit scle rotic processes in liver impairment.