Prostaglandins are downstream products of Omega 6, and often linked with inflammation and oxidative stress. They are also involved in pain pathways. NSAIDS, asprin etc block their production or effect.
Another of the body's complex synergies appears to be that vitamin D helps control the production of prostaglandins.
(PGE2 is an influential prostaglandin)
It is interesting that the amount needed to see a prostaglandin blocking effect was 2000 units. Would an amount greater than 2000 units have a greater effect is a question that is not answered by this summary.
Anticancer Res. 2013 Sep;33(9):3861-6.
Vitamin d favorably alters the cancer promoting prostaglandin cascade.
Qin W, Smith C, Jensen M, Holick MF, Sauter ER.
Source
11937 U.S. Hwy 271, Tyler, TX, U.S.A.
edward.sauter@uthct.edu.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Preclinical studies suggest that 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)2D] and celecoxib inhibit prostaglandins (PGs) associated with cancer through different mechanisms. We determined if there was synergy in their use.
PATIENTS AND METHODS:
A total of 36 healthy women received daily for one month/menstrual cycle: placebo, 400 international units (IU) vitamin D-3, 2,000 IU vitamin D-3, or 2,000 IU vitamin D-3 plus 400 mg celecoxib. Serum and nipple aspirate fluid (NAF) were analyzed for PGE2 and transforming growth factor (TGF)β1 and -2; serum for 25(OH)D (total, -D-2, -D-3), plasma for celecoxib; and mammary duct RNA for cyclooxygenase (COX)2.
RESULTS:
25(OH)D-3 increased (p<0.01) only in the groups receiving 2,000 IU vitamin D-3. PGE2 decreased in the breast (p=0.01) only after receiving 2,000 IU vitamin D-3; 2,000 IU vitamin D-3 alone was more effective in decreasing PGE2 than 2,000 IU vitamin D-3 plus celecoxib (p=0.018).
COX2 expression decreased only in the breasts of women taking 2,000 IU vitamin D-3. Change in circulating 25(OH)D-3 correlated with change in TGFβ2 in the breast.
CONCLUSION:
Vitamin D-3 reduces the PG cascade and increases TGFβ2 in a dose-dependent fashion. Adding celecoxib did not provide synergy.