Which single arachidonic acid metabolite is considered the principal mediator of both fever and the sensitization of nociceptors to painful stimuli?

• A Leukotriene B4
• B Thromboxane A2
• C Prostacyclin (PGI2)
• D Prostaglandin E2 ✓

Explanation

PGE2, produced by cyclooxygenase in inflamed tissues and in the hypothalamus, raises the thermoregulatory set-point to produce fever and directly increases pain sensitivity of nociceptors, which is why COX inhibitors are antipyretic and analgesic. LTB4 is purely chemotactic for neutrophils. TXA2 aggregates platelets and constricts vessels, and PGI2 causes vasodilation and inhibits platelet aggregation, but neither mediates fever.

Reference: Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 10th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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