Prostaglandin levels in blood plasma during asthmatic attacks in patients with aspirin idiosyncrasy

It has been suggested that prostaglandin release is an important factor in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma. Aspirin inhibits prostaglandin synthesis, yet there are a group of patients, with aspirin idiosyncrasy, who develop asthma after ingestion of aspirin. We measured prostaglandin levels in seven individuals with this syndrome. Only trace amounts of PGE₂ and PGF_2α were found in plasma during asthmatic attacks provoked by aspirin.