What is the Role of Prostaglandins in Inflammation?
Prostaglandins play a pivotal role in the inflammatory response. They can cause vasodilation, increase the permeability of blood vessels, and attract white blood cells to the site of inflammation. These effects help to isolate and eliminate the cause of inflammation but also contribute to the symptoms of pain and swelling. The involvement of prostaglandins in inflammation is a key area of interest in epidemiological studies of chronic inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease.