Imbalance of endogenous prostanoids in moderate-to-severe asthma.

Inhalation studies suggested "protective" roles of exogenous prostaglandin E Mild (n = 41) or moderate-to-severe (19) asthmatics and 27 normal controls were examined for pulmonary function (FEV Each prostanoid level did not differ among the three groups. Sputum number of bronchial epithelial cells was greater in moderate-to-severe asthmatics than in the other two groups, suggesting epithelial desquamation. Levels of prostaglandin F An imbalance in production, breakdown, or both between prostaglandin E