An antagonist of a prostaglandin E2 receptor has been shown to serve as an affective contraceptive for femalemacaques while unaffecting their menstrual cyclicity as well as hormonal patterns. The exact reason behind the reduced amount of successful pregnancies of primates during the study is unclear due a number of possibilities that may affect such result.[1]Inhibition of the prostaglandin EP4 receptor has been shown to inhibit tumor growth,angiogenesis,lymphangiogenesis, andmetastasis.[2][3]
Prostaglandins are derived from the parent moleculearachidonic acid. The synthesis of prostaglandins can be blocked by anti-inflammatory drugs such asibuprofen.Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) block the synthesis ofcyclooxygenases (COX) which in turn produce prostaglandins.[4]Prostaglandins (PG) are the result of an enzyme cascade pathway that includes two enzymes cyclooxygenase and PG synthase. Prostaglandin E2 is produced byPGE synthase via the activation of EP1-4 receptors. Prostaglandin E2 is associated with the development of vascular diseases that lead to inflammation in the body. In the human body, PGE2 is involved in the control of the vascular smooth muscle, cell migration, and the division of a cell into two daughter cells.[5] The process of producing two daughter cells via cell division is calledcell proliferation.
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