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. 1980 Jun 7;280(6228):1363–1366. doi: 10.1136/bmj.280.6228.1363

Possible role of prostaglandin E1 in the affective disorders and in alcoholism.

D F Horrobin, M S Manku
PMCID: PMC1601822  PMID: 7388546

Abstract

Prostaglandin (PG)E1 may play an important part in the affective disorders, with an excess being present in mania and a deficiency in depression. Platelets from manic patients produce more PGE1 than normal while those from depressive patients produce less. Ethyl alcohol stimulates PGE1 production whereas lithium inhibits it. Alcoholics will tend to have raised PGE1 concentrations while drinking, but, because precursor supplies are limited, when alcohol concentrations fall PGE1 concentrations may fall sharply leading to depression. PGE1 biosynthesis may be affected by nutritional factors including essential fatty acids, pyridoxine, vitamin C, and zinc. Nutritional approaches may be of value in both depression and alcoholism.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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