Synthetic prostaglandin1 analogue: in vitro studies on human neutrophils.

Prostaglandin (PG) E1 and chemically related compounds 15 alpha-11-deoxy-8-azaPGE1 and 15 epi-11-deoxy-8-azaPGE1 were examined in vitro for their capacity to modulate some physiological functions of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN). PGE1 was completely devoid of chemotactic activity and did not affect leukocyte phagocytosis. On the contrary, 15 alpha-11-deoxy-8-azaPGE1 showed a potent leukotactic activity. In addition, this synthetic substance significantly depressed the phagocytic activity and the concomitant NBT reduction by leukocytes. The analogue 15 epi-11-deoxy-8-azaPGE1 did not exert any of these effects. From these results it appeared that the substitution of the carbon-8 by the nitrogen and the lack of hydroxyl group at the position 11 into the PGE1 structure, make the compound active towards human neutrophils.