The metabolism of arachidonic acid to prostaglandin E2 in plerocercoids of Spirometra erinacei.

With a simplified method of extracting and purifying prostaglandins, trace prostaglandins (nanogram order) were detected by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Arachidonic acid was metabolized to prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) by plerocercoids of Spirometra erinacei, the PGE2 was detected in the medium after incubation with arachidonic acid, and the role of albumin in the absorption of free arachidonic acid by plerocercoids and in the release of its metabolite was investigated. Plerocercoids absorbed arachidonic acid-binding albumin and released PGE2 efficiently. PGE2 is known to suppress the functions of mononuclear cells of the host. The selective release of PGE2 may be related to the escape mechanism of plerocercoids of S. erinacei from the host immune system to become established larva migrans, i.e., sparganosis.