Decreased 6-keto prostaglandin F1 alpha (6-keto PGF1 alpha) in patients with Lesch-Nyhan syndrome.

The coagulation abnormality in patients with Lesch-Nyhan syndrome (LNS) prompted us to examine 6-keto prostaglandin F1 alpha (6-keto PGF1 alpha), a stable metabolite of prostacyclin (PGI2). Plasma levels of 6-keto PGF1 alpha were significantly low in 4 patients with LNS, but they were elevated after discontinuation of allopurinol. Other indicators of coagulation and fibrinolysis systems did not change after the discontinuation of allopurinol. PGI2 prevents the production of superoxide which is formed after cerebral ischemia. The potential source of superoxide is xanthine oxidase which is inhibited by allopurinol. It is assumed that plasma PGI2 increased in response to formed superoxide because xanthine oxidase inhibition was abolished after discontinuation of allopurinol.