Eicosanoids in health and in disease: an appraisal

Oxygenation of the 20-carbon polyunsaturated fatty acid, arachidonic acid, which is found in most body cells of all domestic animals, leads to the formation of a group of compounds possessing biological activity. These compounds, collectively known was eicosanoids, currently receive considerable attention owing to their involvement in a wide variety of physiological and pathophysiological processes. Particular interest has been focussed in recent years on the role and control of prostanoids and leukotrienes in inflammatory and allergic conditions in animals and man. Arachidonic acid metabolites are also recognised to be intimately involved in reproductive and perinatal processes; with platelet aggregation and vascular homeostasis; kidney function; fever; certain tumours and many other normal and disease conditions. Eicosanoid research in veterinary medicine is still at a relatively early stage in many respects and in this review an attempt is given to highlight some of the functions of this important series of compounds both in health and in disease. As more evidence comes to light, it is possible that veterinary surgeons may have to consider revising their clinical approach to the treatment of certain disease states where eicosanoids are implicated or where chemotherapy may interfere with their normal physiological activities.