Eicosanoids

The inflammatory reaction is characterized by an increase in blood flow and permeability of the vascular walls, by cellular migrations , by a local release mediators and finally by a phase of resolution . During these events, the mediators of the inflammatory reaction released will act on specific receptors . Work suggests that the metabolites of the acid arachidonic (eicosanoides) like the prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and lipoxygenases play a significant role during these various phases of the inflammatory reaction.

The biological effects of the acid arachidonic are due primarily to its conversion into many metabolites . The release of these lipidic mediators varies according to the stimulated cellular type. Often, the synthesis of these mediators requires interactions between various cellular types. A cellular type can provide the substrate which will be metabolized by another cellular type having a specific enzyme for the synthesis of a eicosanoïde .

Several metabolic ways like those of the cyclooxygenase S (COX1, COX2) and lipoxygenases are responsible for the synthesis of the majority of the eicosanoïdes . From arachidonic acid COX will allow the production of  prostaglandin E S and thromboxane;

 while the lipoxygenases will synthesize the leukotrienes and , lipoxygenases and acids eicosatetraenoic (HETE, HPETE).

Lastly, these eicosanoides will activate receptors which  can be membrane, cytosolic or nuclear .