20-hydroxy Prostaglandin E2

20-hydroxy Prostaglandin E2 is the putative first intermediate in the metabolism by cytochrome P450 of PGE2. A similar compound, 19(R)-Hydroxy-prostaglandin E2, has been shown to act as a potent smooth muscle relaxant and a selective EP2 receptor agonist, contrary to PGE2, which can activate a variety of prostanoid receptor types. Receptor binding studies indicate that although metabolites of prostaglandins typically bind to EP receptors with lower affinity, they might still play an important role in these biochemical pathways due to an increased half-life. It is difficult to distinguish effects brought on by parent compounds and metabolites for PGE2 systems due to the rapid and complex metabolism of PGE2.