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PROSTAGLANDIN
134
became a member of G.A. and gradually regained prosperity and self-respect. Encouraged by his frank disclosures and his explanation of the principles of G.A., others in the small group of men were soon telling similar stories of uncontrollable addiction to betting or gambling, of families and friends deceived, of money filched or borrowed under false pretences, of debts left unpaid while more and more was staked for " the big killing " which never arrived. The pattern of the stories was almost monotonous, but the depth of feeling with which men revealed their tragic experiences gave each recital a unique pathos. By the end of the evening there was a group in the room, not just a collection of embarrassed strangers. This small beginning may prove as vital and prolific as A.A. in helping some of the family doctor’s most unhelpable patients. PROSTAGLANDIN
PROSTAGLANDIN is
a name
given almost thirty years ago
uterine muscle depends on both the dose and the time in the cycle at which it is given; a small dose stimulates the uterus, a slightly larger dose inhibits it, and the uterus is most sensitive in the middle of the cycle-that is, at the time of ovulation.’7 It seems that the higher the uterine sensitivity, the more rapid is the onset of the inhibitory phase. It is suggested that during coitus and orgasm uterine sensitivity is increased (perhaps by the oxytocin reflexly liberated), and the prostaglandin in the vagina is absorbed, decreasing uterine tone. This may aid sperm migration from the seminal pool around the portio into the uterine cavity. The local vasodilator effect of the substance may also be of benefit to the spermatozoa. Prostaglandin is highly active, and there would certainly be enough of it in the ejaculate to exert the suggested effect. When human uterine strips were used it was found that those which contracted regularly to prostaglandin and showed least of the inhibitory effect were from patients with longstanding infertility.7 Very little work seems to have been done on the effect of prostaglandin on the smooth muscle of the male ducts and accessory genital glands.4 Another source of prostaglandin has lately received attention-namely, menstrual fluid. Here the substances seem to come from the endometrium when it is in the secretory phase, since endometrial curettings taken at that time were also found to contain the active substances.89 Careful extraction and fractionation have confirmed that the active materials belong to the prostaglandin group.10
naturally occurring substance which causes smooth muscle to contract powerfully.12 In fact, there are a number of related substances, and their discovery and recognition depended on their ability to contract smooth muscle and to resist the action of atropine. They differ from the majority of more familiar substances with similar actions in that they are lipids. They are present in several different tissues in small quantities, including the lungs; and they have been found to relax tracheal muscle.3 The quantities are small, but the high activity of the Of the related substances, irin is a lipid-soluble acid which material makes identification possible, The prostawas first extracted from the irises of rabbits and then from to expel the menstrual the myometrium glandins may help human ones4 5; and Darmstoff is the name given to what be partly responsible for is probably a mixture of acidic phospholipids extractable decidua. Moreover, they may certain of types primary dysmenorrhoea, because the from the intestinal washings of certain animals.6Prostasubstances are present in excessive amounts, or active glandin itself was first found in the semen of man and sheep, because the uterine muscle is unusually sensitive, or but it is not present in the semen of various other species contact is long maintained owing to some obstrucexamined 4 7; it is a long-chain unsaturated fatty acid because to outflow. So far the evidence for this pathological with one or more free unesterified alcoholic OH groups, tion is smallbut it is an interesting suggestion. involvement 7 which are essential for its biological activity. Thus, The prostaglandins offer yet another example of the prostaglandin is related chemically to a well-known in which the same or similar substances occur in both substance of plant origin, which has an effect on smooth way and female. Here, the target organ seems to be one male muscle-namely, the ricinoleic acid of castor oil. in other instances, different organs are the and Prostaglandin seems to be held in tissues in an inactive involved. same; or precursor form, since its yield from tissue extracts can WORLD HOSPITALS be increased by the use of enzymes with esterase activity.7 THE International Hospital Federation 11 is an indeAlthough present in semen, it does not originate from the it nor does affect their or survival spermatozoa, motility pendent and non-political organisation devoted to the in vitro. By collecting and extracting four to six successive study and investigation of everything to do with hospitals. fractions of ejaculate, it was found that the greatest Its history began in 1929; and today it has members in concentration of the active substance was in that part 57 countries. Thanks to the King Edward’s Hospital containing the most fructose; and fructose is known to Fund for London, the Federation now has quarters in the come from the seminal vesicles. Probably, then, prostaFund’s new Hospital Centre off the Edgware Road. the interestalso from vesicles comes seminal To further its international work, the Federation has (an glandin that was in was its concentration reconstituted and enlarged its former News Bulletin higher ing finding samples from young fertile men than from infertile ones 7). into a substantial and attractive quarterly journal, World It is the only important stimulator of smooth muscle Hospitals, 12 the first issue of which was launched this present in seminal fluid, and the prostaglandin of man month. In an editorial, Dr. E. L. Crosby, president of and sheep is identical.7 the Federation, remarks how hospitals in every nation face The actions of prostaglandin are interesting. It dilates much the same problems: " shortages of facilities and certain vascular beds, including that of the skin; it has a personnel, rising costs, inadequate reimbursement for powerful effect on uterine muscle and a less striking effect services, less than desirable utilisation of hospital facilities, in causing contraction of intestinal muscle. Its effect on 8. Pickles, V. R., Clitheroe, H. J. Lancet, 1960, ii, 959.
to a
Euler, U. S. Arch. exp. Path. Pharmak. 1934, 175, 78. Goldblatt, M. W. J. Physiol., Lond. 1935, 84, 208. Main, I. H. M. Brit. J. Pharmacol. 1964, 22, 511. 4. Ambache, N. in Comparative Endocrinology (edited by U. S. and H. Heller). New York, 1963. 5. Ambache, N. Biochem. Pharmacol. 1963, 12, 421. 6. Vogt, W. ibid. p. 415. 7. Eliasson, R. ibid. p. 405.
1. 2. 3.
9. 10.
von
von
Euler
V. R. Biochem. Pharmacol. 1963, 12, 429. Eglinton, G., Raphael, R. A., Smith, G. N., Hall, W. J., Pickles, V. R. Nature, Lond. 1963, 200, 960.
Pickles,
11. Further information may be had from the Federation at the Hospital Centre, 24, Nutford Place, London, W.1. 12. World Hospitals: L’Hôpital dans le Monde. Published quarterly for the International Hospital Federation by Pergamon Press. Publishing office: 4/5, Fitzroy Square, London, W.1. Subscriptions department: Headington Hill Hall, Oxford.
became a member of G.A. and gradually regained prosperity and self-respect. Encouraged by his frank disclosures and his explanation of the principles of G.A., others in the small group of men were soon telling similar stories of uncontrollable addiction to betting or gambling, of families and friends deceived, of money filched or borrowed under false pretences, of debts left unpaid while more and more was staked for " the big killing " which never arrived. The pattern of the stories was almost monotonous, but the depth of feeling with which men revealed their tragic experiences gave each recital a unique pathos. By the end of the evening there was a group in the room, not just a collection of embarrassed strangers. This small beginning may prove as vital and prolific as A.A. in helping some of the family doctor’s most unhelpable patients. PROSTAGLANDIN
PROSTAGLANDIN is
a name
given almost thirty years ago
uterine muscle depends on both the dose and the time in the cycle at which it is given; a small dose stimulates the uterus, a slightly larger dose inhibits it, and the uterus is most sensitive in the middle of the cycle-that is, at the time of ovulation.’7 It seems that the higher the uterine sensitivity, the more rapid is the onset of the inhibitory phase. It is suggested that during coitus and orgasm uterine sensitivity is increased (perhaps by the oxytocin reflexly liberated), and the prostaglandin in the vagina is absorbed, decreasing uterine tone. This may aid sperm migration from the seminal pool around the portio into the uterine cavity. The local vasodilator effect of the substance may also be of benefit to the spermatozoa. Prostaglandin is highly active, and there would certainly be enough of it in the ejaculate to exert the suggested effect. When human uterine strips were used it was found that those which contracted regularly to prostaglandin and showed least of the inhibitory effect were from patients with longstanding infertility.7 Very little work seems to have been done on the effect of prostaglandin on the smooth muscle of the male ducts and accessory genital glands.4 Another source of prostaglandin has lately received attention-namely, menstrual fluid. Here the substances seem to come from the endometrium when it is in the secretory phase, since endometrial curettings taken at that time were also found to contain the active substances.89 Careful extraction and fractionation have confirmed that the active materials belong to the prostaglandin group.10
naturally occurring substance which causes smooth muscle to contract powerfully.12 In fact, there are a number of related substances, and their discovery and recognition depended on their ability to contract smooth muscle and to resist the action of atropine. They differ from the majority of more familiar substances with similar actions in that they are lipids. They are present in several different tissues in small quantities, including the lungs; and they have been found to relax tracheal muscle.3 The quantities are small, but the high activity of the Of the related substances, irin is a lipid-soluble acid which material makes identification possible, The prostawas first extracted from the irises of rabbits and then from to expel the menstrual the myometrium glandins may help human ones4 5; and Darmstoff is the name given to what be partly responsible for is probably a mixture of acidic phospholipids extractable decidua. Moreover, they may certain of types primary dysmenorrhoea, because the from the intestinal washings of certain animals.6Prostasubstances are present in excessive amounts, or active glandin itself was first found in the semen of man and sheep, because the uterine muscle is unusually sensitive, or but it is not present in the semen of various other species contact is long maintained owing to some obstrucexamined 4 7; it is a long-chain unsaturated fatty acid because to outflow. So far the evidence for this pathological with one or more free unesterified alcoholic OH groups, tion is smallbut it is an interesting suggestion. involvement 7 which are essential for its biological activity. Thus, The prostaglandins offer yet another example of the prostaglandin is related chemically to a well-known in which the same or similar substances occur in both substance of plant origin, which has an effect on smooth way and female. Here, the target organ seems to be one male muscle-namely, the ricinoleic acid of castor oil. in other instances, different organs are the and Prostaglandin seems to be held in tissues in an inactive involved. same; or precursor form, since its yield from tissue extracts can WORLD HOSPITALS be increased by the use of enzymes with esterase activity.7 THE International Hospital Federation 11 is an indeAlthough present in semen, it does not originate from the it nor does affect their or survival spermatozoa, motility pendent and non-political organisation devoted to the in vitro. By collecting and extracting four to six successive study and investigation of everything to do with hospitals. fractions of ejaculate, it was found that the greatest Its history began in 1929; and today it has members in concentration of the active substance was in that part 57 countries. Thanks to the King Edward’s Hospital containing the most fructose; and fructose is known to Fund for London, the Federation now has quarters in the come from the seminal vesicles. Probably, then, prostaFund’s new Hospital Centre off the Edgware Road. the interestalso from vesicles comes seminal To further its international work, the Federation has (an glandin that was in was its concentration reconstituted and enlarged its former News Bulletin higher ing finding samples from young fertile men than from infertile ones 7). into a substantial and attractive quarterly journal, World It is the only important stimulator of smooth muscle Hospitals, 12 the first issue of which was launched this present in seminal fluid, and the prostaglandin of man month. In an editorial, Dr. E. L. Crosby, president of and sheep is identical.7 the Federation, remarks how hospitals in every nation face The actions of prostaglandin are interesting. It dilates much the same problems: " shortages of facilities and certain vascular beds, including that of the skin; it has a personnel, rising costs, inadequate reimbursement for powerful effect on uterine muscle and a less striking effect services, less than desirable utilisation of hospital facilities, in causing contraction of intestinal muscle. Its effect on 8. Pickles, V. R., Clitheroe, H. J. Lancet, 1960, ii, 959.
to a
Euler, U. S. Arch. exp. Path. Pharmak. 1934, 175, 78. Goldblatt, M. W. J. Physiol., Lond. 1935, 84, 208. Main, I. H. M. Brit. J. Pharmacol. 1964, 22, 511. 4. Ambache, N. in Comparative Endocrinology (edited by U. S. and H. Heller). New York, 1963. 5. Ambache, N. Biochem. Pharmacol. 1963, 12, 421. 6. Vogt, W. ibid. p. 415. 7. Eliasson, R. ibid. p. 405.
1. 2. 3.
9. 10.
von
von
Euler
V. R. Biochem. Pharmacol. 1963, 12, 429. Eglinton, G., Raphael, R. A., Smith, G. N., Hall, W. J., Pickles, V. R. Nature, Lond. 1963, 200, 960.
Pickles,
11. Further information may be had from the Federation at the Hospital Centre, 24, Nutford Place, London, W.1. 12. World Hospitals: L’Hôpital dans le Monde. Published quarterly for the International Hospital Federation by Pergamon Press. Publishing office: 4/5, Fitzroy Square, London, W.1. Subscriptions department: Headington Hill Hall, Oxford.