Prostaglandin and thromboxane synthesis by microsomes of inflamed rabbit ciliary body--iris.

Microsomes of albino rabbit ciliary body--iris were prepared 6 hr, 24 hr, 3 days, 7 days, and 28 days after intravitreal injection of 10 micrograms of Shigella endotoxin. The microsomal preparations were incubated for 15 min with [1-14C]arachidonic acid. Prostaglandin and thromboxane products (cyclo-oxygenase products) were identified by thin-layer chromatography and quantified by scintillation counting. Synthesis of prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2, PGD2, 6-keto-PGF1 alpha (a stable metabolite of PGI2) and thromboxane B2 (TXB2) (a stable metabolite of TXA2) was increased 24 hr, 3 days, and 7 days after endotoxin injection. The greatest increase was in TXB2 synthesis. Cyclo-oxygenase product synthesis returned to normal levels by 28 days. Ciliary body--iris microsomes prepared 15 min after paracentesis synthesized increased amounts of all cyclo-oxygenase products assayed, most notably TXB2 and PGE2. Ciliary body--iris microsomes from albino rabbit treated with topical 1% nitrogen mustard or pigmented rabbits treated with subcutaneous alpha-melanocyte--stimulating hormone (20 micrograms/kg) synthesized normal amounts of cyclo-oxygenase products.