Prostaglandin release by normal and osteomyelitic human bones.

The release of prostaglandin E (PGE) and prostacyclin (as 6-keto PGF1 alpha) by human osteomyelitic bone, compared with normal (control) bone, incubated in vitro was evaluated. Prostacyclin was the main arachidonic acid metabolite released by normal human bone, and similar quantities were released by osteomyelitic bone. However, PGE production was 5-30-fold higher in osteomyelitic bone, compared with control, thus becoming the major prostanoid in this disease. It is concluded that PGE production is probably involved in the inflammatory and/or bone resorption processes that occur in osteomyelitis.