Question

Describe the general structure of eicosanoids and how they function in physiology.

Answer 1

Eicosanoids are the local hormones that acts on cells close to their production. They can breakdwon rapidly and do not travel very far. There are 3 different types of eicosanoids viz., prostaglandins, thromboxanes, and leukotrienes.

Prostaglandins are produced from arachonoids, a poly unsaturated fatty acid. In human body prostaglandins functions to regulate inflammation, cause pain and induce fever, dialate and constrict blood vessel so that they regulate blood pressure.

Thromboxanes are another type of ecosanoids that regulate blood clotting, respiratory and reproductive processes etc., in the human body.

Leukotrienes are remaining ecosanoids that mediates the inflammatory response. Specifically, they increases the permeability of blood vessels, stimulate platelet aggregation and attracts white blood cells to the area.