to humans. The axis may likewise play role in human allergic responses: PGF2α causes airway constriction in normal and asthmatic humans and its presence in human sputum is related to sputum eosinophil levels. Cardiovascular system PGF2α simulates an increase in systolic blood pressure in wild type but not FP(−/−) mice. Furthermore, FP(-/-) mice have significantly lower blood pressure, lower plasma renin levels, and lower plasma angiotensin-1 levels than wild-type mice, and FP agonists have a negative inotropic effect to weaken the strength of heart beating in rats. Finally, FP(−/−) mice deficient in the LDL receptor exhibit significantly less atherosclerosis than FP(+/+) LDL receptor-deficient mice. Activation of FP thus has pathophysiological consequences for the cardiovascular system relative to blood pressure, cardiac function, and atherosclerosis in animal models. The mechanism behind these FP effects and their relevancy to humans have not been elucidated. Clinical significance Therapeutic Glaucoma FP receptor agonists, specifically latanoprost, travoprost, bimatoprost, and tafluprost, are currently used as first-line drugs to treat glaucoma and other causes of intra-ocular hypertension (see Glaucoma#Medication). Hair growth The FP receptor agonist, bimatoprost, in the form of an 0.03% ophthalmic solution termed Latisse, is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration to treat hypotrichosis of the eyelashes, in particular to darken and lengthen eyelashes for cosmetic purposes. Eyelid hypotrichosis caused by Veterinary uses FP receptor agonists are used as highly effective agents to synchronize the oestrus cycles of farm animals and thereby to facilitate animal husbandry. Translational studies Hair growth Eyelash hypotrichosis due to the autoimmune disease, Alopecia areata, or to chemotherapy have been successfully treated with FP agonists in small Translational research studies. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study of 16 men with male pattern baldness (also termed androgenetic alopecia) topical application of the FP agonist, latanoprost, for 24 weeks produced a significant increase in scalp hair density. Despite these findings, however, a case report of one woman with female pattern hair loss found that injection of FP agonist bimatoprost failed to influence hair growth. Skin pigmentation In preliminary studies, 3 Korean patients with periorbital vitiligo (i.e. skin blanching) were treated topically with the FP receptor agonist, latanoprost, for two months; the three patients experienced 20%, 50%, and >90% re-pigmentation of their vitiligo lesions. Fourteen patients with hypopigmented in their scarreed tissues were treated with the FP receptor agonist, bimatoprost, applied topically plus laser therapy and topical tretinoin or pimecrolimus. Most patients