Drug interactions with the in vivo synthesis of thromboxane and prostacyclin

The biosynthesis and metabolic degradation of thromboxane and prostacyclin are briefly described with particular emphasis on the peculiarities of the enzymes involved. This is of great importance for the understanding of this system and for proper interpretation of experimental data. The requirements for adequate methodology in studies designed to assess the in vivo synthesis of those prostanoids are discussed. The characteristics of the thromboxane-prostacyclin system in normals are presented in detail with particular emphasis on those facets of importance for interpretation of literature data, like the diurnal variation, the large interindividual variation etc. The present status of knowledge about the involvement of this system in various cardiovascular diseases as well as the interaction of drugs of various types with the in vivo synthesis of those prostanoids is reviewed in detail.