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Updated: Feb 9, 2026

Prostaglandin Extraction and Analysis in Caenorhabditis elegans
Published on: June 25, 2013
Novel drug targets for ductus arteriosus manipulation: Looking beyond prostaglandins
Elaine L Shelton1, Gautam K Singh2, Colin G Nichols3
1Department of Pediatrics, Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt and Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 2215 B Garland Ave., 1125 Light Hall/MRB4, Nashville, Tennessee 37232; Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee.
Abstract:
Forty years ago, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were first reported to decrease systemic prostaglandin levels and promote ductus arteriosus (DA) closure. And yet, prolonged patency of the DA (PDA) remains a significant clinical problem, complicated by imperfect therapies and wide variations in treatment strategy. There are few pharmacology-based tools available for treating PDA (indomethacin, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen), or for maintaining DA patency (PGE1) as is needed to facilitate corrective surgery for ductus-dependent congenital heart defects. Unfortunately, all of these treatments are inefficient and are associated with concerning adverse effects. This review highlights novel potential DA drug targets that may expand our therapeutic repertoire beyond the prostaglandin pathway.
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