Significance of lipid mediators in shock states.

Derivatives of fatty acids (e.g., arachidonic acid) and phospholipids (e.g., platelet activating factor) appear to be important mediators of a significant extent of the pathophysiology of circulatory shock. These lipid mediators are extremely potent substances having a variety of important biological effects contributing to cellular injury. Moreover, prevention of either the formation of these lipid mediators by synthesis inhibitors or blockade of their action via specific receptor antagonism improves these shock states. Also, using sensitive chemical and immunological detection methods, increased amounts of these lipid mediators have been identified in body fluids during shock states. Finally, several of these lipid mediators are linked to the activation of other lipid and non-lipid mediators of shock in a manner which amplifies the actions of the lipid mediators.