Prostaglandin synthetase inhibitors in endotoxin or septic shock--a review.

Prostaglandins are clearly involved in the pathophysiology of shock in animals and man. Prostaglandin synthetase inhibitors, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, have been utilized for the past two decades in many animal studies, especially in endotoxin or septic shock, to determine what effects they might have. This review shows that the prostaglandins participate in endotoxin and septic shock and that prostaglandin inhibitors improve circulatory function and survival in a variety of species including the subhuman primate. The exact mechanism by which they exert their beneficial effects remain unknown. The data indicate that prostaglandin inhibitors should be tested in clinical trials in humans in shock-like states.