[Eicosanoids in chronic inflammatory intestinal diseases].

Eikosanoids (prostaglandins, thromboxanes, prostacyclins, hydroxyfatty acids, leucotriens) are metabolites of arachidonic acid and are of importance for many functions of the gastro-intestinal tract. They increase the enteral secretion of water, sodium and chloride ions, stimulate inflammatory and immune reactions, inhibit the proliferation of the colon epithelium and regulate by means of cytoprotection the peristalsis and the intestinal blood supply. Though in chronic inflammatory intestinal diseases the concentrations of metabolites of arachidonic acid are increased up to now there are no conclusive proofs for their causal pathogenetic role.