Depressed prostaglandins and leukotrienes in veterans with Gulf War illness

Background: There is need to understand biological markers and mechanisms in Gulf War illness (GWI).

Goal: To examine whether and how eicosanoids – prostaglandins and leukotrienes – are altered in veterans with GWI.

Methods: Seventy participants including 37 GWI and 33 healthy controls, shared exposure information, and had plasma eicosanoids assessed – prostaglandin F2 alpha (pgf2α), prostaglandin D2 (pgd2), leukotriene B4 (lb4) among others. Values were compared for GWI versus controls. Eicosanoid intercorrelations were compared in cases vs. controls. For the most significantly altered eicosanoid in GWI, exposure and symptom relations were assessed.

Results: Prostaglandins and leukotrienes were depressed in GWI, strongest for pgf2α, then lb4. Eicosanoid intercorrelations differed in GWI vs. controls. Fuel-solvent, pesticide, radioactive chemicals and metal exposures related negatively to pgf2α; as, in GWI, did chemical attack and vaccines. Multivariate predictors included fuels-solvents and radioactive chemicals (negative); tetanus vaccine and herbicides (positive). Fuels-solvents and radioactive chemicals predicted lower pgf2α in cases, controls, and all participants controlled for case status. Lower pgf2α related to GWI “Kansas criteria” domains of pain, respiratory, and (borderline significantly) skin symptoms.

Conclusion: Multiple eicosanoids are depressed in GWI, particularly pgf2α and lb4. Prior fuel-solvent exposures, radioactive chemicals, and (in GWI cases) vaccines were linked to lower pgf2α.