[Prostaglandins in the pathogenesis of vascular lesions in patients with rheumatic diseases].

Using the radioimmunological method the authors studied the level of prostaglandins (PG) E and F2 alpha in 76 patients with rheumatic diseases (RD) including 34 with various forms of systemic vasculitis (SV), 30 with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and 12 with systemic sclerodermia (SSD). The condition of the microcirculatory bed was assessed by the method of bulbar angioscopy. A relationship between PG and first of all the pressor series, and the nature of vascular lesions in patients with RD was established. Hyperproduction of PGE was revealed in patients with lupus nephritis and SV in whom diseases ran their course with involvement of the kidneys and the nervous system. The level of PGF2 alpha correlated with the markedness of vascular disorders in patients with ischemic and vasospastic syndromes as well as with skin forms of vasculitis in SLE.