Prostaglandins and lipid modification

Postaglandins(PG) and low-density lipoproteins (LDL) both are playing a key role in atherogenesis. Their interaction at the local vascular level is of central relevance in plaque formation and progression. Details of these co mplex actions however, still need to be elucidated. Lipoproteins are influe ncing the PG-production of arterial wall cells and platelets, while PGs in turn have been shown to regulate lipoprotein receptor binding and entry int o the arterial walt. Modification of LDL severely influences arterial wall trapping and foam cell formation. During LDL-modification, isoprostanes, a new family of compounds generated by free radical catalysed action, indepen dent of cyclooxygenase, are formed. 8-epi PGF(2 alpha) the most well known member exerts a great variety of proatherogenic actions, among them vasocon striction and platelet activation; it also serves as a mitogen and stimulat or of endothelin release. The influence of various eicosanoids on lipoprote in modification, however, has not been assessed yet.