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Inhibition of Prostaglandin Synthetase in Brain explains the Anti-pyretic Activity of Paracetamol (4-Acetamidophenol)

Abstract

INHIBITION of prostaglandin biosynthesis by aspirin-like drugs1–3 has now been confirmed in several systems4–7. The theory1 that this anti-enzyme action is the basis of the clinical effects of aspirin-like drugs has recently been reviewed8–11 in detail. One of the few anomalies was that paracetamol (4-acetamidophenol) which has no anti-inflammatory activity, but is analgesic and anti-pyretic12, was inactive against dog spleen synthetase (ED50 = 100 µg ml.−1). A possible explanation for this discrepancy is that synthetase systems from different regions of the body show different sensitivities to drugs.

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FLOWER, R., VANE, J. Inhibition of Prostaglandin Synthetase in Brain explains the Anti-pyretic Activity of Paracetamol (4-Acetamidophenol). Nature 240, 410–411 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1038/240410a0

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