# PROSTAGLANDINS IN RHEUMATIC DISEASES

> **NIH NIH R01** · MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL · 1987 · $176,745

## Abstract

The overall goal of this proposed project is to clarify the roles of
prostaglandins and leukotrienes in inflammatory rheumatic diseases.  A
major approach is to modify inflammation and immune responses by changes in
the polyunsaturated fatty acid composition of dietary lipids.  The n-3
fatty acids from dietary marine lipids are incorporated into tissues
resulting in changes in the synthesis of eicosanoid mediators,
prostaglandins and leukotrienes.  This work has shown that dietary marine
lipids modify certain inflammatory and immune reactions in experimental
animals.  Dietary marine lipids prolong lifespan and inhibit the
development of autoimmune glomerulonephritis in murine lupus strains, and
work planned will investigate the effects of these dietary lipids on other
organ systems in murine lupus.  Studies of purified components of marine
lipids, such as eicosapentaenoic acid, will attempt to determine the
protective factor(s) for murine lupus and other inflammatory processes.  On
the basis of these studies we are planning clinical trial of the
therapeutic effects of dietary marine lipids on human systemic lupus
erythematosus.  Other experimental studies will examine the effects of
these lipids on animal models for rheumatoid arthritis, acute
hypersensitivity reactions, antibody formation, osteoclastic bone
resorption and the reactivity of pulmonary tissue to leukotrienes.

Effects of eicosanoids on immunoregulation will be studied in well-defined
in vitro systems using T cell hybridoma lines.  Finally, we will define
further a new kinetic mechanism for the regulation of prostaglandin
biosynthesis.  We will also continue our experiments which indicate that
inhibition of PG synthesis by glucocorticoids does not require
phospholipase inhibition.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3155044
- **Project number:** 5R01AR019427-12
- **Recipient organization:** MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL
- **SAM.gov UEI:** FLJ7DQKLL226
- **Principal Investigator:** DWIGHT R ROBINSON
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1987
- **Award amount:** $176,745
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1979-08-15 → 1990-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3155044

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3155044, PROSTAGLANDINS IN RHEUMATIC DISEASES (5R01AR019427-12). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3155044. Licensed CC0.

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