Prostaglandins and thromboxanes in burn injury in man

The main urine metabolite of prostaglandin F2 alpha (5 alpha, 7 alpha-dihydroxy-11-ketotetranor-phostane-1, 16-dioic acid, PGF-metabolite) was determined by mass spectrometry (MS) and radioimmunoassay (RIA) in burned patients treated under routine conditions. The amount of the PGF-metabolite as determined by MS was 130 and 67 microgram/24 h (normal value 24 +/- 17 microgram/24 h) on days 3 and 5 respectively in one patient. In serial determinations using RIA the urine level of the PGF-metabolite was within normal values during the first days and rose to a broad peak 1-4 weeks after the injury. Thromboxane B2 (TXB2) was identified and quantitated in burn blister fluid. The amount of TXB2 was 1.7 ng/ml.