Prostacyclin: A major prostaglandin in the regulation of adipose tissue development

Prostacyclin is a major prostaglandin of the arachidonate cyclooxygenase (COX) pathway. It mediates its action through a prostacyclin receptor (IP), triggers the terminal differentiation of adipocytes, and can work in both autocrine and paracrine manners. It can also induce the transformation of white adipose tissues to form thermogenic brite (brown ‐like) adipose tissues, indicating its potential to treat obesity. Prostaglandins (PGs) belong to the group lipid mediators and can act as local hormones. They contain 20 carbon atoms, including a 5 ‐carbon ring, and are biosynthesized from membrane phospholipid derived arachidonic acid through the arachidonate cyclooxygenase (COX) pathway with the help of various terminal synthase enzymes. Prostacyclin (prostaglandin I2) is one of the major prostanoids produced with the help of prostacyclin synthase (prostaglandin I2 synthase) enzyme and rapidly hydrolyzed into 6 ‐keto‐PGF1 α in biological fluids. Obesity indicates an excess of body adiposity, which is globally considered as one of the major health disasters responsible for developing complex pathological situations in the human body. Adipose tissues can produce various PGs, and thus, the level and the molecular activity of these endogenously synthesized PGs are considered critical for the development of obesity. In this regard, the involvement of prostacyclin in adipogenesis has been studied in the last few decades. The current review, along with the background of other...
Source: Journal of Cellular Physiology - Category: Cytology Authors: Tags: REVIEW ARTICLE Source Type: research