[Metabolism of intravenously administered prostaglandin E1 in patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease].

Using high performance liquid chromatography and radioimmunoassay we have investigated the stability of prostaglandin (PG) E1 and its metabolite 13,14-dihydro-PGE1 in human plasma as well as the initial metabolism of PGE1 infused intravenously (80 micrograms/patient/hour) in patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease. 13,14-dihydro-PGE1 degraded like PGE1 in human plasma at 37 degrees C with a half-life of several hours. During infusion of PGE1 higher plasma concentrations of the major metabolite 15-keto-13,14-dihydro-PGE1 and lower plasma levels of PGE1 and 13,14-dihydro-PGE1 were observed. The metabolite 13,14-dihydro-PGE1 is of interest, since in contrast to 15-keto-13,14-dihydro-PGE1 it is biologically active. The biosynthesis of 13,14-dihydro-PGE1 could contribute to the therapeutic efficacy of PGE1 administered intravenously in patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease.