Prostaglandins: areport onearly clinical studies

Summary Theprostaglandins area unique group ofpharmacologically active lipids whicharewidely distributedinmammalian tissues andbody fluids. The chemistry ofthisfamily ofcompounds hasbeen established inelegant detail. Research quantities of these highly active natural compounds wereobtained byenzymatic bioconversion ofessential fatty acids andnowstudies devoted totheelucidation oftheir physiological roles andtheir clinical potential are progressing rapidly. Fields ofgreatest current interest inclinical medicine include renal-cardiovascular research, induction oflabour andtherapeutic abortion, control ofthereproductive cycle (including fertility control), bronchodilation, enhancement of nasalpatency andantisecretory activity. Results available todatearetoopreliminary formanyconclusions tobedrawn, butaresufficiently encouraging toassure continued andexpanding efforts inseveral fields.