ISOPROSTANE 8-EPI-PROSTAGLANDIN F2-ALPHA IS A POTENT CONTRACTOR OF HUMAN PERIPHERAL LYMPHATICS

Isoprostanes are products of free radical-catalyzed peroxidation and 8 -epi-prostaglandin (PG) F-2 alpha is the most important vasomodulator of this group of compounds. In human lower leg lymphatics isolated fro m 5 different patients without a smoking history or hyperlipidemia, 8- epi-PGF(2 alpha) stimulated in vitro contraction more strongly than th e thromboxane receptor agonist U46619. Other isoprostanes (8-epi-PGE(1 ), 8-epi-PGE(2)) had only limited lymphatic contractile potency. These data suggest a potentially relevant role for 8-epi-PGF(2 alpha) in fa cilitating lymph transport especially in conditions of inflammation.