Differential regulation of the cyclooxygenase pathway in starch elicited rat peritoneal macrophages by prostaglandin E2, U-44069, a stable endoperoxide analogue and dibutyryl-cyclic AMP.

The basal and carrageenin-stimulated release of thromboxane (TX) B2, the stable product of TXA2, 6-ketoPGF1 alpha, the stable breakdown product of prostacyclin (PGI2) and prostaglandin (PG) E2 from 24 h starch elicited rat peritoneal macrophages was inhibited by dibutyryl-cyclic AMP (db-cAMP). PGE2 also inhibited the release of TXA2 and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha whereas the stable endoperoxide analogue, U-44069, stimulated PGE2 and 6-keto PGF1 alpha release but inhibited TXB2 release. The effects of all three mediators tested were related to an increase of Mø intracellular cAMP content.