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Prostaglandin E2

Meaning

A potent, locally acting lipid compound derived from arachidonic acid, classified as a prostanoid, that functions as a key mediator of inflammation, pain, fever, and numerous physiological processes. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) plays a crucial, dualistic role in reproductive endocrinology, being essential for ovulation, labor induction, and maintaining patency of the ductus arteriosus, while also driving the pathological inflammation seen in conditions like endometriosis. Its rapid synthesis and localized action underscore its importance as a paracrine signaling molecule in human physiology.