Actions of prostaglandin E2 metabolites on skin microcirculation

The actions of prostaglandin, E2 on skin microcirculation were compared with two of its metabolites. 2-10 ng prostaglandin E2, 2-10 micrograms 15-keto prostaglandin E2 and 5-10 micrograms 13,14-dihydro-15-keto prostaglandin E2 produced the following dose-related effects: increased area and intensity of erythema in human skin, increased vascular permeability in rat skin, potentiation of the increased vascular permeability elicited by either histamine or bradykinin, potentiation of carrageenan-induced oedema in the rat paw. The prostaglandin E2 metabolites are about 1000 times less active than the parent prostaglandin and are unlikely to account for the inflammatory actions of prostaglandin E2.