Prostaglandin I2 is not a major metabolite of arachidonic acid in cultured endothelial cells from human foreskin microvessels

Prostaglandin I2 (PGI2), a potent vasodilator and inhibitor of platelet aggregation, is a major product of arachidonic acid metabolism in endothelial cells that are derived from large blood vessels (e.g., umbilical veins). We have examined whether PGI2 is also a major product of arachidonic acid metabolism in cultured endothelial cells that are derived from dermal microvessels in human newborn foreskin. Supernatants from confluent monolayers of endothelial cells that had been incubated for 20 min with [3H]arachidonic acid and the calcium ionophore A23187 (10 microM) were assayed for prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha (PGF1 alpha) (the stable metabolite of PGI2) by using authentic standards and high performance liquid chromatography. Whereas supernates from stimulated umbilical vein endothelial cells contained 6-keto-PGF 1 alpha much greater than PGF 2 alpha much greater than PGE2, supernates from stimulated foreskin microvessel endothelial cells contained PGF 2 alpha congruent to PGE2 much greater than 6-keto-PGF 1 alpha. Similar results were obtained when supernates from stimulated, unlabeled endothelial cells were analyzed by radioimmunoassay. These data indicate that PGI2 is not a major metabolite of arachidonic acid in cultured endothelial cells from human foreskin microvessels.     

Formation of prostaglandins and leukotrienes by human lung tissue in vitro after activation by the calcium ionophore A23187

The formation of metabolites of arachidonic acid by the cyclo-oxygenase and lipoxygenase pathways were determined in human lung tissue, obtained from surgery. In this measurement the chopped tissue was incubated with the calcium ionophore A23187. Formation of metabolites from [1-14C] arachidonic acid was also determined. The metabolites were extracted, separated by HPLC and identified by measurement of the absorption spectrum at 280 nm, radioactivity, biological activity and by radioimmunoassay. 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha (6-ketoPGF1 alpha), the metabolite of prostacyclin, is the cyclo-oxygenase product present in the highest amount (400 +/- 49 ng g-1), followed by PGD2 (162 +/- 59 ng g-1) thromboxane B2 (102 +/- 32 ng g-1) PGE2 (104 +/- 46 ng g-1) and PGF2 alpha (58 +/- 26 ng g-1). The amounts of the lipoxygenase products are: leukotriene B4 (LTB4), 163 +/- 100 ng g-1; LTC4, 63 +/- 31 ng g-1 and LTE4 121 +/- 34 ng g-1. From [1-14C] arachidonic acid higher amounts of the cyclooxygenase than of the lipoxygenase products were formed, with the exception of PGE2. The effects of several of these substances on the contraction of human small airway smooth muscle were measured. The contractions, induced by equivalent amounts of LTC4 and a synthetic analogue of thromboxane T X A2 were approximately one hundred times those induced by PGD2, PGF2 alpha and histamine. These results suggest that thromboxane A2 and LTC4 are the most important arachidonic acid metabolites that induce bronchoconstriction in the human lung.     

Pharmacological actions of SQ 29,548, a novel selective thromboxane antagonist

SQ 29,548, [1S-[1 alpha,2 beta (5Z),3 beta,4 alpha]-7-[3-[[2-[(phenylamino) carbonyl]hydrazino]methyl]-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1] hept-2-yl]-5-heptenoic acid, and the racemic modification, +/- SQ 29,548, were identified as active inhibitors of human platelet aggregation induced by arachidonic acid, collagen, epinephrine (2 degrees phase) and the thromboxane A2 mimics, 9,11-azo prostaglandin (PG) H2 and 11,9-epoxymethano PGH2. SQ 29,548 did not inhibit aggregation induced by ADP, and it did not prevent PGD2 from inhibiting ADP-induced platelet aggregation. Inhibition of platelet function by +/- SQ 29,548 was not associated with inhibition of cyclooxygenase or thromboxane synthetase or with changes in platelet cyclic AMP. In guinea-pig trachea and rat aorta, +/- SQ 29,548 competitively antagonized the activity of 9,11-azo PGH2 with pA2 values of 7.8 and 8.4, respectively. The chiral compound, SQ 29,548 competitively antagonized contractions of guinea-pig tracheal spirals caused by 11,9-epoxymethano PGH2 with a pA2 value of 9.1. The +/- SQ 29,548 competitively antagonized tracheal responses to 11,9-epoxymethano PGH2 and PGD2 with pA2 values of 8.2 and 8.3, respectively, indicating that PGD2 and the thromboxane A2 mimic probably act at the same receptor in guinea-pig tracheal smooth muscle. Contractions of guinea-pig tracheal spirals induced by PGE2 were not antagonized, and those caused by PGF2 alpha were only partially antagonized by +/- SQ 29,548. The +/- SQ 29,548 also significantly inhibited the aorta contracting activity of 11,9-epoxymethano PGH2 (pA2 = 9.1) and thromboxane A2 released from perfused guinea-pig lungs upon arachidonic acid challenge.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Permeability of brain structures and other peripheral tissues to prostaglandins D2, E2 and F2 alpha in rats.

Parenchymal tissue-uptake (TU) and permeability-surface area (PS) product of [3H]prostaglandins (PG) D2, E2 and F2 alpha [1.85 MBq, 0.5 mg/kg (270 nmol)] were examined in 98 regions of the brain and in 19 other tissues of urethane-anesthetized male rats (180-200 g) 15 sec after i.v. administration with [14C]dextran [0.185 MBq, 0.6 mg/kg (2 nmol)] used as a blood spacer. Slight and insignificant change in blood volume was observed in most of the tissues and brain regions between vehicle- and PG-administered groups. TU for the three PG was markedly high in kidney and lung (2388-3952 ng/g), exceeding the blood concentration (2021-2320 ng/ml), but low (less than 10% of the blood concentration) in epididymis, epididymal fat, testis (59-163 ng/g), brain and spinal cord (33-67 ng/g). TU in brain were detected about 0.1% of the administered PG. Based on a two-compartment model, the PS product for the three PG ranged from 0.75 to 4.16 microliters/g/sec in the latter tissues. The value of brain was 1.22 +/- 0.18 microliters/g/sec for PGD2, 1.69 +/- 0.05 for PGE2 and 1.33 +/- 0.13 for PGF2 alpha, indicating that PGE2 enters the brain more readily than PGD2 and PGF2 alpha. In various brain structures, the ranges of the PS product were large and completely overlapped among the three PG (PGD2, 0.14-1.56 microliters/g/sec; PGE2, 0.05-1.78; PGF2 alpha, 0.05-1.82). The highest PS product for the three PG was found in olfactory bulb and cerebellum (0.96-1.82 microliters/g/sec) and the lowest was in septum (0.05-0.53). However, the level of the PS product was different among the PG in each brain region as follows: PGD2 greater than PGE2, PGF2 alpha in septum and anterior part of pyriform cortex; PGE2 greater than PGD2, PGF2 alpha in olfactory bulb, frontal cortex, basal forebrain, middle part of pyriform cortex, thalamus, hippocampus and lateral neocortex; and PGF2 alpha greater than PGD2, PGE2 in posterior part of pyriform cortex, hypothalamus, amygdala and entorhinal and retrosplenial cortices. Low correlation coefficients (0.708, 0.522 and 0.562 for PGD2, PGE2 and PGF2 alpha, respectively) between the PS product and cerebrovascular volume in various regions revealed heterogeneous cerebrovascular permeabilities of PG.     

Human platelet-derived growth factor stimulates prostaglandin synthesis by activation and by rapid de novo synthesis of cyclooxygenase.

Human platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) stimulated prostaglandin (PG) E2 synthesis in the cell cycle of Swiss 3T3 cells at two distinct time intervals, with a first plateau within 10 min and a second plateau within 2-4 h after addition of PDGF. At 4 h, the concentration of PGE2 in PDGF-stimulated cultures exceeded the quiescent control cells by a factor of 10-15. Quiescent cells incubated with up to 16 microM exogenous arachidonic acid (AA) synthesized only small amounts of PGE2. In contrast, 4 h after addition of PDGF, the concentration of PGE2 synthesized from exogenous AA exceeded that in quiescent cultures by a factor of 28. The effect of PDGF stimulation on PG synthesis from exogenous AA could not be explained by growth factor-mediated increase in the cellular free AA pool as shown in experiments using [14C]AA. PDGF also stimulated synthesis of PGI2 (prostacyclin), thromboxane, and PGF2 alpha from exogenous AA. While inhibition of protein synthesis by 10 micrograms/ml cycloheximide had no effect on the early increase in PGE2 synthesis, the second increase was completely prevented. Additionally, cycloheximide treatment at 6 h after PDGF stimulation resulted in rapid decline of PGE2 synthesis from exogenous AA. Quiescent cultures pretreated with 100 microM aspirin and stimulated by PDGF thereafter recovered from cyclooxygenase inhibition within 180 min. Our results suggest that phospholipase activation and resultant AA release is not sufficient to induce the burst of PG synthesis observed in PDGF-stimulated cells. Instead, PDGF stimulates PG synthesis by direct effects on the PG-synthesizing enzyme system, one involving a protein synthesis-independent mechanism and another that requires rapid translation of cyclooxygenase.     

Prostaglandin and thromboxane biosynthesis

We describe the enzymological regulation of the formation of prostaglandin (PG) D2, PGE2, PGF2 alpha, 9 alpha, 11 beta-PGF2, PGI2 (prostacyclin), and thromboxane (Tx) A2 from arachidonic acid. We discuss the three major steps in prostanoid formation: (a) arachidonate mobilization from monophosphatidylinositol involving phospholipase C, diglyceride lipase, and monoglyceride lipase and from phosphatidylcholine involving phospholipase A2; (b) formation of prostaglandin endoperoxides (PGG2 and PGH2) catalyzed by the cyclooxygenase and peroxidase activities of PGH synthase; and (c) synthesis of PGD2, PGE2, PGF2 alpha, 9 alpha, 11 beta-PGF2, PGI2, and TxA2 from PGH2. We also include information on the roles of aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, dexamethasone and other anti-inflammatory steroids, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), and interleukin-1 in prostaglandin metabolism.     

Prostaglandins in the kidney: developments since Y2K

There are five major PGs (prostaglandins/prostanoids) produced from arachidonic acid via the COX (cyclo-oxygenase) pathway: PGE(2), PGI(2) (prostacyclin), PGD(2), PGF(2alpha) and TXA(2) (thromboxane A(2)). They exert many biological effects through specific G-protein-coupled membrane receptors, namely EP (PGE(2) receptor), IP (PGI(2) receptor), DP (PGD(2) receptor), FP (PGF(2alpha) receptor) and TP (TXA(2) receptor) respectively. PGs are implicated in physiological and pathological processes in all major organ systems, including cardiovascular function, gastrointestinal responses, reproductive processes, renal effects etc. This review highlights recent insights into the role of each prostanoid in regulating various aspects of renal function, including haemodynamics, renin secretion, growth responses, tubular transport processes and cell fate. A thorough review of the literature since Y2K (year 2000) is provided, with a general overview of PGs and their synthesis enzymes, and then specific considerations of each PG/prostanoid receptor system in the kidney.     

Failure of chronic aspirin treatment to inhibit urinary prostaglandin excretion in spontaneously hypertensive rats: comparison with indomethacin and flurbiprofen

The inability of chronic treatment with aspirin to cause sustained inhibition of urinary prostaglandin (PG) excretion observed previously prompted us to compare the effects of 9-day treatment of spontaneously hypertensive rats with aspirin, 200 mg/kg/day s.c., flurbiprofen, 2.5 mg/kg/b.i.d. s.c. and indomethacin, 2.5 mg/kg/b.i.d. s.c. on the excretion rate of radioimmunoassayable PGE2 and PGF2 alpha. Conversion of 1-[14C]arachidonic acid and the release of PGs from endogenous substrate by the renal papilla were also examined. In vehicle-treated control rats, PGF2 alpha excretion ranged from 32.2 +/- 6.2 (mean +/- S.E.M.) to 41.6 +/- 7.3 ng/6 h, and was 2- to 4-fold higher than that of PGE2. Within 6 h of administration all three drugs reduced excretion of PGF2 alpha and PGE2 to less than 20% and 35% of control rats, respectively. Thereafter, PGF2 alpha and PGE2 excretion in aspirin-treated rats returned to values similar to the vehicle-treated group, whereas inhibition of PG excretion in indomethacin and flurbiprofen groups was sustained. Urine volume was doubled by aspirin throughout the study. In contrast, urine volume in flurbiprofen- and indomethacin-treated rats was unaffected. Paradoxically, metabolism of 1-[14C]arachidonic acid to PGs by renal papilla dissected on day 10, 2 to 4 h after the last drug dose, was reduced markedly by aspirin as was the release of immunoreactive PGs but was unaffected by flurbiprofen or indomethacin. The failure of long-term aspirin treatment to inhibit urinary PG excretion and the disparity between in vivo and ex vivo indices of PG release emphasize the need to verify their intended action by measuring PGs in biological fluids.     

Increased prostaglandin production by glomeruli isolated from rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus.

Abnormalities in glomerular function have been observed frequently in the early stages of both clinical and experimental diabetes mellitus. Because prostaglandins (PGs) are present in the glomerulus and have profound effects on glomerular hemodynamics, and because abnormalities of PG metabolism have been noted in other tissues from diabetics, we studied PG biosynthesis in glomeruli obtained from rats in the early stages of experimental diabetes mellitus. Streptozotocin, 60 mg/kg, was administered intravenously to male Sprague-Dawley rats. Control rats received an equal volume of the vehicle. Glomeruli were isolated 9-23 d later. Production of eicosanoids was determined by two methods: by direct radioimmunoassay after incubation of glomeruli under basal conditions and in the presence of arachidonic acid (C20:4), 30 microM, and by radiometric high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) after incubation of glomeruli with [14C]C20:4. When assessed by radioimmunoassay, mean basal production of both prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) was twofold greater in the diabetic animals whereas production of thromboxane B2 (TXB2) was not significantly greater than control. In response to C20:4, both PGE2 and PGF2 alpha were also greater in the diabetic animals, but these differences were not statistically significant. The increased rate of basal PG production did not appear to be related directly to the severity of the diabetic state as reflected by the degree of hyperglycemia at the time of sacrifice. In fact, the rates of glomerular PG production in the individual diabetic animals correlated inversely with the plasma glucose concentration. The increased rate of PG synthesis did not appear to be due to a nonspecific effect of streptozotocin inasmuch as glomerular PG production was not increased significantly in streptozotocin-treated rats which were made euglycemic by insulin therapy. Furthermore, addition of streptozotocin, 1-10 mM, to the incubation media had no effect on PGE2 production by normal glomeruli. PGE2 production by normal glomeruli was also not influenced by varying the glucose concentration in the incubation media over a range of 1-40 mM. When metabolism of [14C]C20:4 was evaluated by high-performance liquid chromatography conversion to labeled PGE2, PGF2 alpha, TXB2, and hydroxyheptadecatrienoic acid by diabetic glomeruli was two- to threefold greater compared with that in control glomeruli, whereas no significant difference in conversion to 12- and 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid occurred. These findings indicate that glomerular cyclooxygenase but not lipoxygenase activity was increased in the diabetic animals. A concomitant increase in glomerular phospholipase activity may also have been present to account for the more pronounced differences in PG production noted in the absence of exogenous unlabeled C20:4. These abnormalities in PG biosynthesis by diabetic glomeruli may contribute to the altered glomerular hemodynamics in this pathophysiologic setting.     

Arachidonic acid and prostaglandin endoperoxide metabolism in isolated rabbit and coronary microvessels and isolated and cultivated coronary microvessel endothelial cells.

Isolated microvessels and isolated and cultured microvessel endothelial cells were prepared from rabbit cardiac muscle. Pathways of arachidonic acid metabolism were determined by measurement of exogenous substrate utilization [( 1-14C]arachidonic acid incorporation and release from intact tissue and cells; [1-14C]prostaglandin H2 (PGH2) metabolism by broken cell preparations) and by quantification of endogenous products (immunoreactive 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha (PGF1 alpha) and prostaglandin E (PGE) release) by selective radioimmunoassay. Rabbit coronary microvessels and derived microvascular endothelial cells (RCME cells) synthesized two major products of the cyclooxygenase pathway: 6-keto-PGF1 alpha (hydrolytic product of prostaglandin I2) and PGE2. A reduced glutathione requiring PGH-E isomerase was demonstrated in coronary microvessels and RCME cells, but not in rabbit circumflex coronary artery or aorta. In addition, a minor amount of a compound exhibiting similar characteristics to 6-keto-PGE1 was found to be produced by microvessels and RCME cells. Measurement of endogenously released prostaglandins indicated that under basal and stimulated conditions, PGE release exceeded that of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha. Microvessels and microvessel endothelial cells derived from cardiac muscle of rabbit exhibit pathways of arachidonate metabolism that are different from those of many large blood vessels and derived endothelial cells.     

Eicosanoid synthesis by rabbit hydronephrotic cortical interstitial cells in culture

Rabbit hydronephrotic cortical interstitial cells in primary culture were labeled with [1-14C]arachidonic acid and the eicosanoids released after stimulation with bradykinin or A23187 were studied by reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography. The major arachidonic acid metabolite formed was prostaglandin (PG)E2, comprising more than 30% of the total radioactivity released. 12-Hydroxyheptadecatrienoic acid, probably representing spontaneous breakdown of the cyclic endoperoxides PGG2 and/or PGH2, made up 10 to 15% of the radioactivity released. Other cyclooxygenase products that were released included PGF2 alpha, PGD2, 6-keto PGF1 alpha and only minute amounts of thromboxane B2. Small quantities of the lipoxygenase products 15-, 12- and 5-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids (HETEs) as well as leukotrienes (LT)B4, LTC4 and LTD4 were also identified. Significantly larger quantities of 15- and 5-HETEs were recovered at 2 to 5 min than after longer incubations with A23187, suggesting esterification of these HETEs into cellular phospholipids. The data indicate that interstitial cells of the hydronephrotic kidney synthesize a variety of cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase products of arachidonic acid, which may contribute to the pathophysiology of hydronephrosis. Moreover, it is suggested that PGG2 and/or PGH2 that are released from these cells may be metabolized further by adjacent kidney cells or circulating blood elements to other eicosanoid products, thus increasing the diversity of eicosanoids synthesized in the hydronephrotic kidney.     

Prostaglandin synthesis by rat glomerular mesangial cells in culture. Effects of angiotensin II and arginine vasopressin.

Arginine vasopressin (AVP) and angiotensin II (ANG II) reduce the glomerular filtration rate and ultrafiltration coefficient. Vasodilatory prostaglandins (PG) antagonize these effects. AVP and ANG II also cause mesangial cell contraction. Therefore, possible PG stimulation by these peptides and two vasopressin analogues was studied in cultured rat glomerular mesangial cells. The effect of altered calcium availability on PG production was also studied. Glomeruli from 75-100-g Sprague-Dawley rats were cultured in supplemented nutrient media for 28 d and experiments were performed on the first passage. Mesangial cell morphology was confirmed by electron microscopy. Cells produced PGE2 much greater than PGF2 alpha greater than 6-keto-PGF1 alpha greater than thromboxane B2 when incubated with the divalent cation ionophore, A23187, or arachidonic acid (C20:4). ANG II and AVP selectively stimulated PGE2 at threshold concentrations of 10 nM ANG II and 100 pM of AVP. The effects of the antidiuretic analogue 1-desamino-8-D-arginine vasopressin (dDAVP) and the antipressor analogue [1-(beta-mercapto-beta beta-cyclopentamethylene propionic acid)-4-valine, 8-D-arginine]-vasopressin (d[CH2]5VDAVP), were studied. Neither compound stimulated PGE2 and preincubation with d(CH2)5VDAVP abolished, and dDAVP blunted, AVP-enhanced PGE2 production. Incubation in verapamil, nifedipine, or zero calcium media blocked peptide-stimulated PGE2 production. Increasing extracellular calcium or adding A23187 increased PGE2 synthesis. Selective stimulation of PGE2 by ANG II or AVP in mesangial cells suggests a hormone-sensitive phospholipase and a coupled cyclooxygenase capable of synthesizing only PGE2. Since neither vasopressin analogue stimulated PGE2, but both blocked AVP-enhanced PGE2 production, we conclude that these cells respond to the pressor activity of AVP. This is a calcium-dependent process. Selective stimulation of PGE2 by ANG II and AVP may modulate their contractile effects on the glomerulus.     

Differences in responsiveness of intrapulmonary artery and vein to arachidonic acid: mechanism of arterial relaxation involves cyclic guanosine 3':5'-monophosphate and cyclic adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate

The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between responses of bovine intrapulmonary artery and vein to arachidonic acid and cyclic nucleotide levels in order to better understand the mechanism of relaxation elicited by arachidonic acid and acetylcholine. Arachidonic acid relaxed phenylephrine-precontracted arterial rings and elevated both cyclic GMP and cyclic AMP levels in arteries with intact endothelium. In contrast, endothelium-damaged arterial rings contracted to arachidonic acid without demonstrating significant changes in cyclic nucleotide levels. Indomethacin partially inhibited endothelium-dependent relaxation and abolished cyclic AMP accumulation whereas methylene blue, a guanylate cyclase inhibitor, partially inhibited relaxation and abolished cyclic GMP accumulation in response to arachidonic acid. All vessel responses were blocked by a combination of the two inhibitors. Prostaglandin (PG) I2 relaxed arterial rings and elevated cyclic AMP levels whereas PGE2 and PGF2 alpha caused contraction, suggesting that the indomethacin-sensitive component of arachidonic acid-elicited relaxation is due to PGI2 formation and cyclic AMP accumulation. The methylene blue-sensitive component is attributed to an endothelium-dependent but cyclooxygenase-independent generation of a substance causing cyclic GMP accumulation. Intrapulmonary veins contracted to arachidonic acid with no changes in cyclic nucleotide levels and PGI2 was without effect. Homogenates of intrapulmonary artery and vein formed 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, PGF2 alpha and PGE2 from [14C]arachidonic acid, which was inhibited by indomethacin. Thus, bovine intrapulmonary vein may not possess receptors for PGI2. The failure of endothelium-intact vein to relax to acetylcholine may be related to the lack of a relaxant effect by arachidonic acid, perhaps attributed to the absence of generation of an endothelium-derived relaxing factor.     

The effect of recombinant human erythropoietin on thrombocyte aggregation capacity and on the blood prostanoid level in patients with chronic kidney failure on hemodialysis]

Overall 16 patients with chronic renal failure on regular hemodialysis were examined. Of these, 8 received recombinant human erythropoietin (rhERP). A study was made of platelet aggregation and the level of some prostanoids in the blood of these patients. As the time of the treatment with rhERP was increased, the hemodialyzed patients demonstrated a tendency toward a rise of platelet aggregation induced by thrombin together with an increase of the content of PGF2 alpha, TxB2, in some cases of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha and a lowering of plasma PGE [correction of RGE] level. The data concerning activation of the synthesis of arachidonic acid metabolites (PGF2 alpha and TxB2) that enhance platelet aggregation on prolonged use of rhERP suggest the role these substances may play in the mechanism of the development of thrombotic complications in the given patients' category.     

Production of prostaglandins E2 and F2 alpha in the freshwater mussel Ligumia subrostrata: relation to sodium transport

Pharmacological experiments indicate that prostaglandins (PGs) have a role in the control of sodium regulation in freshwater mussels and the mechanism may be linked to cyclic AMP and serotonin. To test this hypothesis we used radioimmunoassay to investigate the ability of freshwater mussels to synthesize PGs. The levels of precursor fatty acids were determined in a gas-liquid chromatograph. Arachidonic acid (precursor to the diene PGs) was the major fatty acid component of total lipids in the gill and accounted for 14% of the total. In addition, gill homogenates synthesize PG-like material from [3H]arachidonic acid. Material corresponding to PGE2 and PGF2 alpha were identified on thin-layer radiochromatograms. These data indicate that gills (the primary site of Na transport) can produce PGs. The presence of PGs in freshwater mussels was verified by radioimmunoassay of blood. Both PGE2 and PGF2 alpha were identified using highly specific antisera. The concentrations of both PGs was significantly reduced when the mussels were injected with inhibitors of phospholipase A2 or cyclooxygenase before sampling blood. Stimulation of Na transport by serotonin and cyclic AMP results in a depression of blood PGE2 with no effect on circulating PGF2 alpha. PGE2 levels are inversely correlated with net Na flux. These data indicate endogenous PGE2 negatively modulated Na transport and PGE2 levels are regulated by a serotonin-cyclic AMP mediated system.     

Prostaglandin and thromboxane synthesis by highly enriched rabbit proximal tubular cells in culture

Prostaglandin synthetic profiles were studied in monolayers of highly enriched rabbit renal proximal tubular cells cultured in serum-free, hormone-supplemented, defined media. The cultures were initiated from glomeruli-free cortical suspensions. Cells in culture demonstrated morphologic and functional characteristics highly suggestive of proximal tubular cells. The basal and stimulated synthesis of immunoassayable prostaglandin (PG) E2, PGF2 alpha, 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, and thromboxane (Tx) B2 in response to various agonists, as well as the effect of two cyclooxygenase inhibitors, was assessed. Under both basal and stimulated conditions, PGE2 was the major product synthesized. PGF2 alpha and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha were synthesized to a lesser extent, and TxB2 was undetectable. The basal synthesis of PGE2 and PGF2 alpha in cultured cells was found to be higher than in isolated proximal tubular fragments by sevenfold and fivefold, respectively. Exogenous arachidonate, angiotensin II, and the divalent cation ionophore A23187 stimulated all three immunoassayable prostaglandins in a dose-dependent manner. Arginine vasopressin (10(-5) mol/L) had no stimulatory effect. In Ca++-free media or in the presence of 10(-5) mol/L Ca++ channel blocker, verapamil, the stimulatory effects of angiotensin II and A23187 were ameliorated. The stimulatory effect of angiotensin II was inhibited by saralasin (10(-5) mol/L), indicating that receptor binding could mediate PGE2 synthesis. Both indomethacin and sulindac sulfide (10(-5) mol/L) reversibly inhibited PGE2 synthesis.     

Stimulation of prostaglandin production in rabbit ileal mucosa by bradykinin

When rabbit ileal mucosa was incubated with exogenous [3H]arachidonic acid (AA), its major metabolites, identified by comigration with known standards on thin-layer chromatography, were prostaglandin (PG) E2, 6-keto-PGF1 alpha and to a lesser extent PGF2 alpha and PGD2. The rate of prostanoid release from the serosal surface of the mucosa only was increased after incubation th either bradykinin, lys-bradykinin, melittin or the calcium ionophore A 23187, in a rapid and dose-dependent fashion. Peptide concentrations as low as 10(-9) M were effective. Kinin-induced release of AA or its metabolites required the presence of Ca++ in the incubation medium. Stimulation of prostanoid release by lys-bradykinin was completely blocked by indomethacin. The combined lipoxygenase/cyclooxygenase inhibitors BW 755 and eicosa-5,8,11,14-tetraynoic acid and the lipoxygenase inhibitor nordihydroguaiaretic acid also blocked the stimulation of PG synthesis by lys-bradykinin. These inhibitors caused an increase in levels of AA released from the tissue by lys-bradykinin. The phospholipase inhibitors, mepacrine and U- 10029, inhibited the lys-bradykinin-stimulated release of both prostanoids and AA. At higher concentrations, U- 10029 inhibited the stimulation of transepithelial potential difference and short-circuit current across rabbit ileal mucosa produced by lys-bradykinin. These results support the hypothesis that bradykinin-stimulated intestinal secretion may be mediated by PGs.     

Prejunctional inhibitory effects of prostanoids on sympathetic neurotransmission in the rabbit iris-ciliary body

Both naturally occurring and synthetic prostaglandins (PGs) caused concentration-dependent inhibition of electrically evoked [3H]norepinephrine (NE) overflow from the isolated, superfused rabbit iris-ciliary body without affecting basal tritium efflux. The rank order of potencies of the agonists was: sulprostone greater than 16, 16-dimethyl-PGE2 greater than PGE2 greater than 11-deoxy-PGE1 greater than iloprost (stable PGl2 analog) greater than PGF2 alpha greater than or equal to PGD2. However, the Tx-mimetic, U-46619, was without effect on transmitter release at concentrations up to 1 microM. The selective EP1-receptor antagonists, AH 6809 (30 microM) or SC-19220 (10 microM) had no effect on basal or field-stimulated [3H]NE secretion, nor did they antagonize the PGE2-mediated reduction of evoked [3H]NE overflow. Indomethacin (3 microM) and the 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor, BW A4C (1 microM) were without effect on basal or evoked [3H]NE release, suggesting that endogenously formed arachidonic acid metabolites have no significant modulatory role in this in vitro system. Inhibitory effects of submaximal or maximal concentrations of PGE2 combined with corresponding concentrations of clonidine or carbachol were not additive, suggesting that prejunctional PGE2 receptors coexist with alpha-2 adrenergic and muscarinic receptors at neurotransmitter release sites. In the presence of yohimbine (100 nM) and/or atropine (100 nM), however, the inhibition produced by PGE2 was enhanced markedly, suggesting that tonic activation of prejunctional alpha-2 adrenergic or muscarinic receptors by endogenously released transmitters may impair the response to exogenous PGE2.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Positive inotropic effect and phosphoinositide breakdown mediated by arachidonic acid and prostaglandin F2 alpha

We investigated the mechanism of arachidonate- and prostaglandin-induced alteration of cardiac contractile activity in isolated rat left ventricular papillary muscles. Superfusion with 10(-6) to 10(-4) M arachidonic acid resulted in a slow developing positive inotropic effect (PIE) in a concentration-dependent manner. The PIE was abolished by pretreatment with 10(-5) M indomethacin. Prostaglandin (PG) F2 alpha also produced a significant PIE in a concentration-dependent manner, but the EC50 value was approximately 2 orders of magnitude lower and the maximum contractile response was 2-fold higher than those of arachidonate. PGE2 and PGI2 were without an effect on contractile force at concentrations ranging from 10(-9) to 10(-6) M. Both arachidonate and PGF2 alpha provoked slow responses in the partially depolarized muscles in a time course similar to that of development in the PIE. Neither arachidonate nor PGF2 alpha affected tissue levels of cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP, but these molecules increased accumulations of [3H]inositol phosphates (IPs) in a concentration-dependent manner similar to that observed for their PIE. The enhanced accumulation of [3H]IPs induced by arachidonate was abolished by pretreatment with 10(-5) M indomethacin. Although an increase in [3H]IP level was relatively rapid in PGF2 alpha-treated tissues, maximum accumulations of [3H]IPs were identical between arachidonate- and PGF2 alpha-treated tissues. Thus, for comparable increases in [3H]IPs, there was a greater PIE with PGF2 alpha than with arachidonate.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Sympathoadrenomedullary system mediation of the prostaglandin E2-induced central inhibition of gastric acid output in rats

Mechanisms related to the gastric antisecretory action of i.c.v.-administered prostaglandins (PGs) were investigated in urethane-anesthetized rats with gastric fistula. The gastric acid output was enhanced by electrical stimulation of the left cervical vagus nerve after cutting the bilateral cervical vagus nerves. Intracerebroventricular administered PGE2 (0.05-0.5 microgram/animal) dose-dependently inhibited the vagally stimulated acid output whereas the same doses of PGE2 administered i.v. were without effect. The inhibitory effect of PGE2 (0.1 microgram/animal, i.c.v.) was more potent than the effects of the same doses of PGD2 and PGF2 alpha (PGE2 greater than PGD2 greater than PGF2 alpha). PGE2 (0.1 microgram/animal)-induced inhibition of the gastric acid output was abolished by splanchnicectomy, cutting the preganglionic splanchnic nerves under diaphragm, or by combined pretreatment with adrenalectomy and 6-hydroxydopamine (50 mg/kg i.v., 3 days before). This PGE2-induced inhibition was also abolished by pretreatment with phentolamine (5 mg/kg i.m.), but not by propranolol (5 mg/kg i.m.). These observations suggest that the i.c.v.-administered PGs, in particular PGE2, induces a central excitation of the sympathoadrenomedullary outflow and that the resultant activation of gastric alpha adrenoceptors inhibits the vagally stimulated gastric acid output.