Radioimmunoassay of Eicosanoids: Its Application in the Development of Anti-Inflammatory and Analgesic Drugs

Abstract

Membrane-bound avachidonic acid is a precursor for PG and LT biosynthesis*. Members of this family of autocoids have been implicated in pathophysiology including regulation of microvascular blood flow and permeability, leukocyte chemotaxis, hyperalgesia and anaphylaxis. Consequently, in recent years considerable effort has been expended in the search for agents that block the synthesis and antagonize the actions of these autocoids. Most of the biologically stable arachidonic metabolites can now be measured by RIA, and this technique finds widespread use in the search for AI and analgesic drugs. Within a mechanistic approach to new drug development, RIA of eicosanoids can be used at the pre-clinical and clinical stages of drug development and now plays an integral part in hypothesis testing and in the progression of pharmacological curiosities to effective medicines.