Prostacyclin
Chapter: 2
One of the prostaglandins, also known as PGI2. It inhibits platelet aggregation, as well as the activation of leukocytes, and is a powerful vasodilator. It is produced by endothelial cells, among other cell types. It is the physiologic antagonist of the thromboxanes, primarily TXA2. Imbalance between PGI2 and TXA2, in favor of the latter, can initiate platelet aggregation and an acute inflammatory response (see fig. 2-13, text).