Application of deuterium labelling in studies of the biosynthesis and metabolism of prostaglandin F2α in man

Quantitative determination of the major urinary metabolites of the E and F series prostaglandins represents a valuable approach to the study of prostaglandin biosynthesis in man. The primary piostaglandins, such as prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α), are first metabolised to their biologically inactive 15-keto-13, 14-dihydro derivatives. These, in turn, are converted into several more polar derivatives which are excreted in the urine. The main end-product in the metabolism of PGF2α is 5α, 7α-dihydroxy-11-ketotetranor-prostane-1, 16-dioic acid (referred to below as PGF-M), while an analogous C16 dioic acid is formed from PGE2 (Figure 26.1).