 Later, it was shown that many other tissues secrete prostaglandins and that they perform a variety of functions.The first total syntheses of prostaglandin F2α and prostaglandin E2 were reported by E. J. Corey in 1969, an achievement for which he was awarded the Japan Prize in 1989.In 1971, it was determined that aspirin-like drugs could inhibit the synthesis of prostaglandins.