Prostaglandin A2 and 35S uptake in connective tissue.

Rats deficient in essential fatty acids (EFA) incorporated lesser amounts of radioactive sulfate into lung, kidney, spleen, heart, costal cartilage, long bone and skull bone than did normal control animals. Administration of prostaglandin A2 stimulated 35S uptake by lung, kidney and aorta while 35S levels in costal cartilage, tibial cap and long bone were strikingly reduced. Comments are presented suggesting that this metabolic mechanism may explain, in part, cartilage and bone resorption in areas of inflammation, such as arthritis, both rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.