Prostaglandin and thromboxane biosynthesis in resting and activated platelet-free monocytes from aged subjects

The main cyclo-oxygenase-dependent arachidonic acid (AA) derivatives, i.e. prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and thromboxane A2 (TXA2), have been measured by radioimmunoassay in platelet-free cultures of human monocytes from young and old subjects, in presence and in absence of activating substances (10% fetal calf serum). No difference was found between cells from the two groups as far as the production of PGE2 and TXB2 (stable metabolite of TXA2) was concerned, at variance with reported data in young and old experimental animals. The addition to the cultures of exogenous AA caused a reorientation of cyclic endoperoxide metabolism resulting in a consistent decrease of the ratio TXB2/PGE2, but only in monocytes from young subjects. The data are discussed with respect to the claimed role of prostaglandins in the age-related immune derangement which is present in aged humans.