Possible roles of prostaglandins in the hypothalamus

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Abstract
This review covers 10 yr of prostaglandin (PG) study. Since PG were found in the hypothalamus and cerebrospinal fluid, and were released from the CNS spontaneously and in response to chemical or electric stimulation, many investigators studied their effects in the CNS. PG has a wide range of pharmacological actions in the CNS. Relatively large doses of PG had to be given centrally to produce some effects. Other types of PG, when applied centrally in doses of a few nanograms, stimulated the hypothalamus or the pituitary gland to increase secretion of hypothalamic and anterior and also posterior pituitary hormones. Physiological investigations of PG were aided by using inhibitors of their synthesis; aspirin, indomethacin, etc. These compounds inhibited secretion of the hormones from the hypothalamus as well as from the pituitary, suggesting that endogenous PG exert a functional role for the hormone secretion. To produce fever, PGE act on the preoptic anterior hypothalamus; aspirin and indomethacin decrease fever produced by pyrogens but not PGE. Pyrogens produce fever by increasing synthesis and release of PGE. Hypothalamic PGE play a role as a central transmitter or modulator in temperature regulation.