Glioma prostaglandin levels correlate with brain edema

Summary The present study was designed to prospectively investigated the prostaglandin (PG) levels and extent of peritumoral edema in 30 cases of glioma by using methods of radioimmunoassay and imaging. Both TXB 2 and 6-keto-PGF 10 levels in all glioma groups went up over that in the control group. TXB 2 level and ratio of TXB 2 /6-keto-PGF 10 were markedly increased with the extent of tumor malignancy. Water concentration in anaplastic astrocytoma and glioblastoma were significantly elevated. Difference in TXB 2 level and TXB 2 /6-keto-PGF 10 ratio among three edema grades were statistically significant. TXB 2 level and ratio of TXB 2 /6-keto-PGF 10 were closely correlated with water concentration (r 1 = 0. 53, r 2 = 0. 72, P <0. 01). Our findings suggested that the metabolism of PG in glioma were in the state of disorder, and that the imbalance between PGI 2 and TXA 2 may be one of factors which affect the formation of peritumoral edema.