Prostaglandin (PG) endoperoxides are intermediates in the biosynthesis of PGs, thromboxanes, and prostacyclin. The endoperoxides, PGH
2 and PGG
2, induce rapid and irreversible aggregation of human platelets.
1 PGH
1 and PGG
1 are known to contract smooth muscle preparations, but are lacking in aggregatory effects. 9,11-
methane-
epoxy Prostaglandin F
1α (9,11-
methane-
epoxy PGF
1α) is a stable epoxymethano analog of PGH
1 that produces a strong and dose-
related aggregation of washed rabbit platelets (EC
50 = 0.88 μM) and contraction of rabbit aortic strips (EC
50 = 0.11 μM).
1 9,11-
methane-
epoxy PGF
1α induces contraction of guinea pig tracheas (EC
50 = 3.4 μM) with a maximal contraction of about 60% of that caused by a submaximal dose of histamine.