Prostaglandin and thromboxane levels in central nervous system tissues from rats during the induction and development of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE).

Prostaglandin (PG) and thromboxane levels were measured in the spinal cords and cerebellums of rats during the induction, disease and recovery periods of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE). In spinal cords PGE and 6-oxo-PGF1 alpha increased to maximum with the onset of neurological symptoms, 11-12 days after inoculation. However, the levels returned to normal at the height of clinical disease, despite the persistence of inflammatory lesions. After an initial fall, PGF2 alpha increased to normal limits, 11-12 days after inoculation, and remained at this level throughout the experiment. In contrast, the cerebellum content of all the eicosanoids decreased prior to the appearance of clinical EAE. PGF2 alpha and 6-oxo-PGF1 alpha concentrations subsequently increased but the PGE and thromboxane levels remained depressed for the duration of the study. The role of the eicosanoids in modulating the immune response to neuroantigen is discussed together with our recent findings in guinea pigs with acute EAE.