Vanderbilt University
Prostaglandins are important signaling compounds formed from arachidonic acid. The enzymes that form prostaglandins, cyclooxygenase-1 and -2 are the targets of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Because prostaglandins are very unstable in the body, they can not be measured directly. Instead, their metabolites are isolated from urine or blood and quantified as markers of formation of the parent, active compounds. The investigators are testing the hypothesis that there is a previously unrecognized metabolic pathway between two prostaglandins. The investigators hypothesize that prostaglandin D2 (PGD2), in addition to its known metabolism to PGD-M, is also metabolized to 11-dehydro-thromboxane B2 (11-dehydro-TxB2).
The objective of this study is to determine whether PGD2 is metabolized to 11-dehydro-TxB2 in humans. Because the levels of PGD2 and its metabolite, PGD-M, are low in human urine, the investigators will use the model of niacin-induced flushing which is associated with a increased release of PGD2 from skin cells. It has been demonstrated that increased formation of PGD2 is associated with increased levels of urinary 11-dehydro-TxB2 in patients with mastocytosis. In order to test whether niacin-induced biosynthesis of PGD2 is associated with formation of 11-dehydro-TxB2 the investigators will m…
Inclusion Criteria: * Normal, healthy volunteers not currently taking any medication. Exclusion Criteria: * Use of anti-inflammatory/over-the-counter pain medications (NSAIDs) up to 2 weeks prior to study.
induce biosynthesis of PGD2
inhibition of cyclooxygenase
labeled precursor
Arctuva estimate
Actual pay is set by the research site.
Verify or correct the compensation shown for this listing.