Formation and function of eicosanoids in the central nervous system.

Neuronal firing during experimental convulsions triggered a large increase in brain eicosanoid synthesis. Mature astrocytes are an important source of cerebral prostanoids. Endogenously formed prostaglandins possess anticonvulsive properties of biological relevance. These conclusions suggest new ideas that might explain the formation and functions of prostanoids in the brain. First, as augmented neuronal discharge is a prerequisite for enhanced prostanoid synthesis during seizures, a functional coupling between firing neurons and prostanoid-forming astrocytes may be expected. Second, the anticonvulsive effects of endogenous prostanoids suggest that astroglia-derived substances might regulate neuronal activity. The phenomenon of convulsion-induced prostanoid synthesis may, therefore, represent a new example of neuron-glia interaction. Neither K+-induced membrane depolarization nor receptor activation by drugs with affinity to alpha or beta adrenoceptors, dopamine, serotonin, muscarine, histamine, GABA, glutamate, aspartate, adenosine, and opioid receptors evoked eicosanoid synthesis in astrocytes. The only physiologically relevant ligand that induced prostanoid synthesis concentration dependently in astrocytes was ATP and related nucleotide triphosphates, as well as nucleotide disphosphates. In peripheral nerves ATP serves as a cotransmitter. The effect of the P2 agonists was reduced by pertussis toxin. The mechanism by which eicosanoids regulate neuronal activity remains to be elucidated.