Biosynthesis of prostaglandin E2 and F2 alpha in gingiva of patients with chronic periodontitis.

The biosynthesis of radioactive prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and F2 alpha from (1-14C) arachidonic acid has been demonstrated in the microsomal fraction of gingiva of patients with chronic periodontitis in vitro. 14C corresponding to unmetabolized arachidonic acid in three separate incubations was 83, 66, and 83%, and that corresponding to both PGE2 and PGF2 alpha was 8, 22, and 9% of the total radioactivity recovered after chromatography. The ratios of PGE2 to PGF2 alpha were found to be 6:1, 6:1, and 3:1, respectively.