(Left Side) Prostanoids are synthesized by a series of
steps starting with the action of Prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthases
(Ptgs1 and 2) on unesterified arachidonic
acid (AA). The product of this reaction is Prostaglandin H2 (PGH2) which is
subsequently converted, by specific enzymes to prostanoids such as Prostaglandin
E2 (PGE2), Prostaglandin F2 (PGF2) and Thromboxane A2 (TXA2). TXA2 is rapidly
converted to Thromboxane B2 (TXB2). (Right Side) Expression of
genes coding for enzymes involved in prostanoid synthesis as well as for
prostanoid receptors, in pain circuit tissue, are presented as sFPKM (mean,
n=3). (Left Side Graphs) Concentrations of prostanoid that were
detected using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry are presented as
median ± interquartile range (ng/g tissue, n=4). Prostanoids were only
measured in the unesterified pool.