Prostacyclin (or PGI2) is a member of the family of lipid molecules known as eicosanoids.\nAs a drug, it is also known as "epoprostenol".[1] The terms are sometimes used interchangeably
Prostacyclin (PGI2) chiefly prevents formation of the platelet plug involved in primary hemostasis (a part of blood clot formation). It is also an effective vasodilator. Prostacyclin's interactions in contrast to thromboxane (TXA2), another eicosanoid, strongly suggest a mechanism of cardiovascular homeostasis between the two hormones in relation to vascular damage.
Xu YC, Leung SW, Yeung DK, Hu LH, Chen GH, Che CM, Man RY.
Structure-activity relationships of flavonoids for vascular relaxation in porcine coronary artery.
Phytochemistry. 2007 Mar 27; [Epub ahead of print]
PMID: 17395220 [PubMed - as supplied by pu
Addition of milk prevents vascular protective effects of tea.
Lorenz M, Jochmann N, von Krosigk A, Martus P, Baumann G, Stangl K, Stangl V.
Eur Heart J. 2007 Jan;28(2):219-23. Epub 2007 Jan 9.
PMID: 17213230
doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehl442
In conclusion, milk may counteract the favourable health effects of tea on vascular function. The finding that the tea-induced improvement of vascular function in humans is completely attenuated after addition of milk may have broad implications on the mode of tea preparation and consumption. In addition, it indicates that caution is warranted in the design of studies involving nutritional flavonoids.
New research reveals that drinking just one cup of regular, black tea per day may help to protect against cardiovascular disease. The research, conducted at the University of L'Aquila in Italy and supported by the Lipton Institute of Tea, is the first study to show that black tea consumption does - depending on dose - improve blood vessel reactivity, reduce both blood pressure and arterial stiffness, indicating a notably better cardiovascular health profile
Egg consumption and endothelial function: a randomized controlled crossover trial.
Katz DL, Evans MA, Nawaz H, Njike VY, Chan W, Comerford BP, Hoxley ML.
Int J Cardiol. 2005 Mar 10;99(1):65-70.
PMID: 15721501
Conclusion: Short-term egg consumption does not adversely affect endothelial function in healthy adults, supporting the view that dietary cholesterol may be less detrimental to cardiovascular health than previously thought