Effect of aging on 6-keto-PGF1 alpha levels in normotensive and essential hypertensive males

Prostacyclin (PGI2) is produced in the vessel wall and acts as a vasodilator hormone. Measurement of plasma 6-keto-PGF1 alpha is considered to be an index of PGI2 production. In the present study the effects of aging on the plasma 6-keto-PGF1 alpha levels were studied in 64 normotensive and 48 essential hypertensive males. The subjects were divided into 3 groups, i.e., young (24-39 years), middle-aged (40-55 years) and elderly (over 56 years) groups. Plasma 6-keto-PGF1 alpha was measured by specific radioimmunoassay after silicic acid column chromatographic purification. The 6-keto-PGF1 alpha levels were lower in elderly normotensive males (10.3 +/- 1.4 pg/ml, mean +/- SE, n = 12) than in normotensive young males (15.3 +/- 2.3, n = 30, p less than 0.05). The plasma 6-keto-PGF1 alpha levels in hypertensive elderly males (10.6 +/- 1.3 pg/ml, n = 10) is lower than in hypertensive young males (19.8 +/- 2.2, n = 17, p less than 0.01). These results indicate that the plasma 6-keto-PGF1 alpha levels decreased with age in both normotensive and hypertensive groups. Thus, PGI2 production may decrease with age.     

Lipoxygenase-dependent mechanisms in hypertension

This study was designed to examine the contribution of lipoxygenase products to mechanisms of vascular contraction and elevated blood pressure in rats with aortic coarctation-induced hypertension. In cytosolic fractions of aortae taken from hypertensive rats, 12-lipoxygenase protein was increased as compared to normotensive controls. Aortic rings from hypertensive, but not from normotensive rats, exhibited a basal tone which was reduced 74+/-12 and 71+/-22%, respectively, by the lipoxygenase inhibitors cinnamyl-3,4-dihydroxy-alpha-cyanocinnamate (CDC, 10(-5) mol/L) and 5,8,11-eicosatriynoic acid (ETI, 10(-5) mol/L). CDC (8 mg/kg s.c.) did not affect the blood pressure of normotensive rats but decreased that of hypertensive rats from 182+/-6 to 151+/-10 mm Hg. The blood pressure lowering effect of CDC was blunted in hypertensive rats pretreated with indomethacin or antibodies against 5,6-dihydro-prostaglandin I2. These data suggest contribution of lipoxygenase-derived products to mechanisms underlying aortic smooth muscle basal tone and elevated blood pressure in rats with aortic coarctation-induced hypertension. The vasodepressor effect of CDC depends on a mechanism involving vasodilatory prostaglandins.     

Role of PGI2 in the formation and maintenance of hyperdynamic circulatory state of portal hypertensive rats

AIM: To investigate the role of prostacyclin (PGI2) and nitric oxide (NO) in the development and maintenance of hyperdynamic circulatory state of chronic portal hypertensive rats. METHODS: Ninety male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups: intrahepatic portal hypertension (IHPH) group by injection of CCI4, prehepatic portal hypertension (PHPH) group by partial stenosis of the portal vein and sham-operation control (SO) group. One week after the models were made, animals in each group were subdivided into 4 groups: saline controlled group (n = 23), Nω-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA)group (n = 21) group, indomethacin (INDO) group (n = 22) and high-dose heparin group (n = 24). The rats were administrated 1mL of saline, L-NNA (3.3 mg/kg-d) and INDO (5 mg/kg·d) respectively through gastric tubes for one week/then heparin (200 IU/Kg/min) was given to rats by intravenous injection for an hour. Splanchnic and systemic hemodynamics were measured using radioactive microsphere techniques. The serum nitrate/nitrite(NO2-/NO3-) levels as a marker of production of NO were assessed by a colorimetric method, and concentration of 6-keto-PGF1α, a stable hydrolytic product of PGI2, was determined by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: The concentrations of plasma 6-keto-PGFla (pg/mL) and serum NO2-/NO3- (μmol/L) in IHPH rats (1123.85±153.64, 73.34±4.31) and PHPH rats (891.88±83.11, 75.21±6.89) were significantly higher than those in SO rats (725.53±105.54, 58.79±8.47) (P<0.05). Compared with SO rats, total peripheral vascular resistance (TPR) and spanchnic vascular resistance (SVR) decreased but cardiac index (CI) and portal venous inflow (PVI) increased obviously in IHPH and PHPH rats (P<0.05). L-NNA and indomethacin could decrease the concentrations of plasma 6-keto-PGFla and serum NO2/7NO3-in IHPH and PHPH rats (P<0.05) .Meanwhile, CI, FPP and PVI lowered but MAP, TPR and SVR increased(P<0.05). After deduction of the action of NO, there was no significant correlation between plasma PGI2 level and hemodynamic parameters such as CI, TPR, PVI and SVR. However, after deduction of the action of PGI2, NO still correlated highly with the hemodynamic parameters, indicating that there was a close correlation between NO and the hemodynamic parameters. After administration of high-dose heparin, plasma 6-keto- concentrations in IHPH, PHPH and SO rats were significantly higher than those in rats administrated vehicle (P<0.05). On the contrary, levels of serum NO2-/NO3- in IHPH, PHPH and SO rats were significantly lower than those in rats administrated Vehicle (P<0.05). Compared with those rats administrated vehicle, the hemodynamic parameters of portal hypertensive rats, such as CI and PVI, declined significantly after administration of high-dose heparin (P<0.05), while TPR and SVR increased significantly (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: It is NO rather than PGI2 that is a mediator in the formation and maintenance of hyperdynamic circulatory state of chronic portal hypertensive rats.     

Ibuprofen, methylprednisolone, and gentamicin as conjoint therapy in septic shock

Septic shock is associated with increased metabolism of arachidonic acid to thromboxane A2 (TxA2) and prostacyclin (PGI2). The effects of ibuprofen, methylprednisolone-sodium succinate, and gentamicin alone, or in combination on survival time and, TxA2 and PGI2 production in rats in a LD100 fecal peritonitis shock model were assessed. Plasma levels of TxA2 and PGI2 were measured by radioimmunoassay of their stable metabolites immunoreactive (i) TxB2 and i6-keto-PGF1 alpha, respectively. Drugs were given 30 min before induction of fecal peritonitis. Survival times in hours were as follows: fecal peritonitis = 10.5 +/- 0.4 (n = 50); ibuprofen (15 mg/kg) = 16.1 +/- 0.8 (n = 8); methylprednisolone-sodium succinate (40 mg/kg) = 17.1 +/- 0.7 (n = 22); methylprednisolone-sodium succinate (80 mg/kg) = 46.1 +/- 10.4 (n = 25) with 8% long-term survivors (survival greater than 7 days); gentamicin (4 mg/kg) = 23.8 +/- 4.4 (n = 16); methylprednisolone-sodium succinate (40 mg/kg) + ibuprofen = 20.3 +/- 1.8 (n = 6); gentamicin + methylprednisolone-sodium succinate = 31.0 +/- 1.6 (n = 11); gentamicin + ibuprofen = 28.5 + 2.3 (n = 12); gentamicin + methylprednisolone-sodium succinate (40 mg/kg) + ibuprofen = 46.9 +/- 5.4 (n = 8). Treatment with the combination of gentamicin + ibuprofen + methylprednisolone-sodium succinate (80 mg/kg) resulted in a mean survival time of 116 +/- 13.9 h with 26% long-term survivors. Methylprednisolone-sodium succinate (40 mg/kg) reduced (P less than 0.05) plasma iTxB2 from 995 +/- 78 (n = 16) to 714 +/- 48 (n = 18) pg/ml and i6-keto-PGF1 alpha from 4,090 +/- 334 (n = 12) to 2,009 +/- 119 (n = 17) pg/ml, 4 h post-FP. Methylprednisolone-sodium succinate (80 mg/kg) produced no further decrease in either iTxB2 or i6-keto-PGF1 alpha. Ibuprofen reduced the fecal peritonitis-induced iTxB2 and i6-keto-PGF1 alpha synthesis to nondetectable levels (less than 200 pg/ml). The latter results demonstrate that methylprednisolone-sodium succinate is less effective than ibuprofen in inhibiting arachidonic acid metabolism and suggest other salutary actions. These composite observations provide evidence that conjoint therapy with steroidal and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, and antibiotics in septic shock may be beneficial.     

Prostacyclin inhibition by indomethacin aggravates hepatic damage and encephalopathy in rats with thioacetamide-induced fulminant hepatic failure

AIM: Vasodilatation and increased capillary permeability have been proposed to be involved in the pathogenesis of acute and chronic form of hepatic encephalopathy. Prostacyclin (PGI2) and nitric oxide (NO) are important contributors to hyperdynamic circulation in portal hypertensive states. Our previous study showed that chronic inhibition of NO had detrimental effects on the severity of encephalopathy in thioacetamide (TAA)-treated rats due to aggravation of liver damage. To date, there are no detailed data concerning the effects of PGI2 inhibition on the severity of hepatic encephalopathy during fulminant hepatic failure. METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 300-350 g were used. Fulminant hepatic failure was induced by intraperitoneal injection of TAA (350 mg/(kg·d) for 3 d. Rats were divided into two groups to receive intraperitoneal injection of indomethacin (5 mg/(kg·d), n = 20) or normal saline (N/S, n = 20) for 5 d, starting 2 d before TAA administration. Severity of encephalopathy was assessed by the counts of motor activity measured with Opto-Varimex animal activity meter. Plasma tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α, an index of liver injury) and 6-keto-PGF1α (a metabolite of PGI2) levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: As compared with N/S-treated rats, the mortality rate was significantly higher in rats receiving indomethacin (20% vs5%, P<0.01). Inhibition of PGI2 created detrimental effects on total movement counts (indomethacin vs N/S: 438±102 vs 841±145 counts/30 min, P<0.05). Rats treated with indomethacin had significant higher plasma levels of TNPa (indomethacin vs N/S: 22±5 vs 10±1 pg/mL, P<0.05) and lower plasma levels of 6-keto-PGF1α (P<0.001), but not total bilirubin or creatinine (P>0.05), as compared with rats treated with N/S. CONCLUSION: Chronic indomethacin administration has detrimental effects on the severity of encephalopathy in TAA-treated rats and this phenomenon may be attributed to the aggravation of liver injury. This study suggests that PGI2 may provide a protective role in the development of fulminant hepatic failure.     

Participation of prostacyclin in endothelial dysfunction induced by aldosterone in normotensive and hypertensive rats

The aim of the present study was to analyze the possible involvement of vasoconstrictors prostanoids on the reduced endothelium-dependent relaxations produced by chronic administration of aldosterone in Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). For this purpose, acetylcholine (ACh) relaxations in aortic segments from both strains were analyzed in absence and presence of the cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and COX-2 inhibitor indomethacin, the specific COX-2 inhibitor NS-398, the TP receptor antagonist (SQ 29 548), the thromboxane A2 (TXA2) synthase inhibitor furegrelate, and the prostacyclin (PGI2) synthesis inhibitor tranylcypromine (TCP). In addition, COX-2 protein expression was studied by Western blot analysis. Release of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and the metabolites of PGF2alpha, TXA2, and PGI2, 13,14-dihydro-15-keto PGF2a, TXB2, and 6-keto-PGF1alpha, respectively, were measured. Treatment with aldosterone did not modify blood pressure levels in any strain. However, aldosterone markedly reduced (P<0.05) ACh-induced relaxations in segments from both strains in a similar extent. Indomethacin, NS-398, SQ 29 548, and TCP enhanced (P<0.05) ACh relaxations in both strains treated with aldosterone. Aortic COX-2 protein expression was higher in both strains of rats treated with aldosterone. In normotensive animals, aldosterone increases the ACh-stimulated aortic production of 13,14-dihydro-15-keto PGF2a, PGE2, and 6-keto-PGF1alpha (P<0.05). In SHR, ACh only increased the 6-keto-PGF1alpha production (P<0.05). It could be concluded that chronic treatment with aldosterone was able to produce endothelial dysfunction through COX-2 activation in normotensive and hypertensive conditions. PGI2 seems to be the main factor accounting for endothelial dysfunction in hypertensive rats, whereas other prostanoids besides PGI2 appear to be involved in endothelial dysfunction under normotensive conditions.     

Reduction of aortic wall motion inhibits hypertension-mediated experimental atherosclerosis

Hypertension is a well-known risk factor for coronary artery disease and carotid and lower extremity occlusive disease. Surgically induced hypertension in hypercholesterolemic animals results in increased aortic wall motion and increased plaque formation. We tested the hypothesis that reduction in aortic wall motion, despite continued hypertension, could reduce plaque formation. New Zealand White rabbits (n=26) underwent thoracic aortic banding to induce hypertension and were fed an atherogenic diet for 3 weeks. In 13 rabbits, a segment of aorta proximal to an aortic band was externally wrapped to reduce wall motion. All animals were fed an atherogenic diet for 3 weeks. Four groups were studied: 1, coarctation control (no wrap, n=7); 2, coarctation with loose wrap (n=6); 3, coarctation with firm wrap (n=7); and 4, control (noncoarcted, n=6). Wall motion, blood pressure, and pulse pressure were measured at standard reference sites proximal and distal to the coarctation by use of intravascular ultrasound. Quantitative morphometry was used to measure intimal plaque. Mean arterial pressure and cyclic aortic wall motion were equally increased proximal to the aortic coarctation in all 3 coarcted rabbit groups compared with the control group (P:<0.001). Wall motion in the segment of aorta under the loose and firm wraps was no different from the control value. The external wrap significantly reduced intimal thickening in the 4 groups by the following amounts: group 1, 0.30+/-0.03 mm(2); group 2, 0.06+/-0.02 mm(2); group 3, 0. 04+/-0.02 mm(2); and group 4, 0.01+/-0.01 mm(2) (P:<0.001). Localized inhibition of aortic wall motion in the lesion-prone hypertensive aorta resulted in significant reduction in intimal plaque formation. These data suggest that arterial wall cyclic motion may stimulate cellular proliferation and lipid uptake in experimental atherosclerosis.     

Ventricular/vascular coupling and regional arterial dynamics in the chronically hypertensive baboon: correlation with cardiovascular structural adaptation

Ventricular/vascular coupling dynamics and regional hemodynamics of five hypertensive baboons with concentric left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy (mean arterial pressure +/- SD, 148 +/- 16 mm Hg; LV mass/body weight ratio 3.42 +/- 0.8) were compared with five normotensive controls (mean arterial pressure 89 +/- 3 mm Hg; LV mass/body wt ratio 2.73 +/- 0.5) at different mean arterial pressures. Ventricular/vascular dynamics were assessed by aortic input impedance, pulsatile/total power ratio, effective arterial elastance and compliance from a three-element Windkessel "lumped" model of the circulation. Regional arterial dynamics were assessed by pulse-wave velocities and local reflection coefficients. Systemic arterial compliance was similarly decreased with elevated pressure in both groups but was significantly more reduced for the hypertensive group compared with control animals at control (0.49 +/- 0.16 vs. 0.96 +/- 0.09 ml/mm Hg; p less than 0.05) and acutely lowered arterial pressure (0.62 +/- 0.26 vs. 1.41 +/- 0.24 ml/mm Hg, respectively). Changes in compliance were paralleled by differences in effective arterial elastance derived from cineventriculographic pressure-volume ratios. Regional foot-foot and apparent phase pulse-wave velocities were significantly increased for distal aortic segments of the hypertensive animals during elevated pressures compared with controls (cff, 17.5 +/- 7.5 vs. 8.7 +/- 3.0 m/sec; p less than 0.05). Histology of the aorta revealed significant increases in collagen content (microgram/mg dry wt) from proximal to distal aortic segments (27 +/- 2 vs. 38 +/- 6; p less than 0.005) in hypertensive animals but not in controls (27 +/- 2 vs. 32 +/- 6; NS). With pharmacological normalization of systemic arterial pressures, hypertensive baboons developed aortic wave speeds similar to controls but manifested significantly reduced compliance compared with controls. In contrast, with acute elevations of pressure, systemic arterial aortic compliances were similar for both groups, but distal pulse-wave velocities were significantly increased for hypertensive animals compared with controls. We conclude that measures of ventricular/vascular coupling and arterial dynamics are determined by both the level of arterial pressure and the physical characteristics of the cardiovascular system in chronic systemic hypertension and pressure overload ventricular hypertrophy.     

Role of endothelium-derived prostanoid in angiotensin-induced vasoconstriction

To test the hypothesis that prostanoids contribute to angiotensin II-induced vascular contraction, we compared the effect of angiotensin II on isometric tension development by rings of descending thoracic aorta bathed in Krebs' bicarbonate buffer with and without indomethacin (10 microM) to inhibit cyclooxygenase, CGS13080 (10 microM) to inhibit thromboxane A2 synthesis, or SQ29548 (1 microM) to block thromboxane A2/prostaglandin endoperoxide receptors. The comparisons were made in rings of aorta taken from normotensive rats and from rats with aortic coarctation-induced hypertension at 12 days and 90-113 days after coarctation. These rings released thromboxane B2, which was found to be endothelium dependent, increased in hypertensive rats, and stimulated by angiotensin II (10(-6) M) in normotensive rats and in hypertensive rats at 12 days after coarctation. The angiotensin II (10(-6) to 10(-5)M)-induced contraction of aortic rings was increased by about 30% at 12 days after coarctation and decreased at 90-113 days after coarctation. Removal of the endothelium increased the contractile effect of angiotensin II (10(-6) M) in aortic rings of normotensive rats and hypertensive rats at 90-113 days after coarctation but decreased the effect in aortic rings of hypertensive rats at 12 days after coarctation. In rats at 12 days after coarctation, the angiotensin II (10(-6) M)-induced contraction of aortic rings with endothelium was attenuated by indomethacin and SQ29548 but not by CGS13080. These data suggest that a prostanoid-mediated and endothelium-dependent mechanism of vasoconstriction contributes to the constrictor effect of angiotensin II in aortic rings of rats in the early phase of aortic coarctation-induced hypertension.     

口服L-精氨酸对腹主动脉缩窄后大鼠血压、心肌肥厚和血管舒张功能的影响

本文利用缩窄大鼠腹主动脉的方法制备高血压模型，观察了正常大鼠、未服和口服Ｌ－精氨酸两周的腹主动脉狭窄的大鼠的血压、心肌肥厚及血管舒张功能的改变，旨在了解Ｌ－精氨酸对腹主动脉缩窄性高血压大鼠的作用。研究发现腹主动脉狭窄后大鼠发生了严重的高血压及心肌肥厚。未服Ｌ－精氨酸的大鼠心肌肥厚，且血管环对１０－８～１０－５ｍｏｌ／Ｌ乙酰胆碱诱导的舒张反应明显减低；而Ｌ－精氨酸口服治疗两周能减轻其心肌肥厚，并部分改善乙酰胆碱诱导的血管舒张功能，但两组大鼠腹主动脉缩窄后的血压均升高，两者相比较差别无统计学意义（Ｐ＞０．０５）。结果提示：Ｌ－精氨酸（１０－５～１０－３ｍｏｌ／Ｌ）有直接舒张该大鼠血管环的作用，且呈剂量依赖关系，长期口服Ｌ－精氨酸可减轻腹主动脉缩窄性大鼠的心肌肥厚，改善其血管的舒张功能，而其血压的变化与上述作用无关。     

Reduction of prostacyclin synthesis as a possible cause of transient flow reduction in a partially constricted canine coronary artery

Coronary blood flow decreases cyclically in a partially occluded coronary artery of anesthetized dogs. Spontaneous aggregation and deaggregation of platelet plugs in the constricted artery have been indicated to be responsible for this phenomenon. A current hypothesis is that platelet aggregation may be determined by a balance between proaggregatory platelet product, thromboxane A2 (TXA2), and antiaggregatory substance, prostacyclin (PGI2). To elucidate the relationship between the cyclical reduction of coronary flow (CRCF) and metabolic alterations of TXA2 and PGI2, we attempted to determine the plasma levels of their stable catabolites, thromboxane B2 (TXB2) and 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha (6-keto-PGF1 alpha), in the coronary circulation of 69 dogs. Of 40 cases, 20 cases exhibited CRCF accompanying a significant increase in TXB2 in the coronary sinus (CS) (P less than 0.05) and constant levels of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha in the CS and aorta (Ao). Another 20 cases did not exhibit CRCF that accompanied a marked increase in 6-keto-PGF1 alpha (P less than 0.05) with virtually no change in TXB2 in the CS and Ao. A higher dose of indomethacin (10 mg/kg, i.v.) was capable of evoking CRCF in cases not exhibiting CRCF spontaneously. Under these conditions, a significant decrease in 6-keto-PGF1 alpha was seen both in the CS and Ao compared with lower doses of indomethacin (1 to 3 mg/kg, P less than 0.01), that produced less pronounced reduction of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha without CRCF. Intravenous infusion of PGI2 (0.1 microgram/kg/min.) completely abolished spontaneously and indomethacin-induced CRCF with a marked elevation of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha in the CS and Ao. Although OKY-1580, a TXA2 synthetase inhibitor, relieved spontaneously-evoked CRCF with a marked increase in 6-keto-PGF1 alpha and a slight reduction of TXB2, indomethacin-induced CRCF was not abolished by this agent. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that the reduction of endogenous PGI2 synthesis in the vascular wall is related to the occurrence of CRCF after partial constriction of coronary artery and indomethacin.     

口服L-精氨酸对腹主动脉缩窄后大鼠血压、心肌肥厚和血管舒张功能的影响

本文利用缩窄大鼠腹主动脉的方法制备高血压模型，观察了正常大鼠，未服和口服Ｌ－精氨酸两周的腹主动脉狭窄的大鼠的血压，心肌肥厚及血管舒张功能的改变，旨在了解Ｌ－精氨酸对腹计劝缩窄性高血压大鼠的作用，研究发现腹主动脉狭窄后大鼠发生了肥厚，且血管环对１０＾－８￣１０＾－５ｍｏｌ／Ｌ乙酰胆碱诱导的舒张反应明显减低，而Ｌ－精氨到口服治疗两周舒张功能，但两组大鼠腹主动脉缩窄后的血压均升高，两者相比较差别无统计学     

Increased prostaglandin synthesis in the unclipped kidney of one-kidney, one clip hypertensive rats

Reversal of one-kidney, one clip (1-K, 1C) hypertension by removal of the renal artery clip is accompanied by increased renal and vascular prostaglandin (PG) production. It was postulated that PG biosynthesis is stimulated in the unclipped hypertensive kidney. In order to test this hypothesis, we compared urinary excretion of PGE2 and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha (a breakdown product of PGI2) in perfused kidneys isolated from 1-K, 1C hypertensive rats, 1-K, sham-clipped rats and 1-K, 1C rats which had failed to become hypertensive. Urine was collected over 15 min periods at perfusion pressures of 100, 150 and 200 mmHg. At perfusion pressures of 100 and 150 mmHg there was no significant difference in PGE2 excretion between the three groups. In contrast, 6-keto-PGF1 alpha excretion at 150 mmHg was higher in the hypertensive rats compared with the sham-clipped (P less than 0.05) and failed hypertensive (P less than 0.01) rats. At 200 mmHg, both PGE2 and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha were significantly higher in the hypertensive rats than in the control groups. These increases in PG excretion were clearly dissociated from changes in urinary flow rates. The findings support the hypothesis of increased synthesis of renal vasodilatory and natriuretic PGs in 1-K, 1C hypertension which is particularly evident at higher perfusion pressures, such as may be encountered when the hypertensive kidney is unclipped and exposed to high arterial pressure.     

Vascular prostacyclin and Goldblatt hypertensive rats

Vascular prostacyclin production in Goldblatt hypertension was examined in one-kidney, one clip (1K, 1C) and two-kidney, one clip (2K, 1C) rat models. Vasodepressor responses to prostacyclin and nitroprusside correlated well with resting blood pressure in both groups of rats, but when measured as a percentage of resting blood pressure the responses did not differ significantly between hypertensive rats and the normotensive controls within each group. In contrast, the vasodepressor effects of arachidonic acid (1-3 mg/kg, i.v.) were much greater in the 1K, 1C rats than in their normotensive controls, but did not differ significantly between hypertensive 2K, 1C rats and sham-operated controls. The effects of arachidonic acid were virtually abolished by indomethacin (10 mg/kg, i.v.). The metabolism of [14C]-arachidonic acid was also studied in isolated aortae of both one- and two-kidney rats by high pressure liquid chromatography of extracts of the incubation mixture. [14C]-6-oxo-PGF1 alpha was the only prostanoid conversion product recovered from the incubations and significantly more of this metabolite was produced by aortic tissue from 1K, 1C rats than from normotensive controls. There was no difference in [14C]-6-oxo-PGF1 alpha production between 2K, 1C rats and controls. These results demonstrate an enhanced ability of vascular tissue from 1K, 1C hypertensive rats to convert exogenous arachidonate to vasodilator prostacyclin, but this is not evident in the two-kidney model. Although enhanced biosynthetic capacity for prostacyclin in the one-kidney model and spontaneously hypertensive rats does not lessen peripheral vascular resistance, it might reflect a fundamental disturbance in phospholipid metabolism which contributes to increased vascular resistance.     

Effects of prostacyclin infusion on blood pressure and plasma renin activity in patients with essential hypertension.

The effects of prostacyclin infusion (6.7 +/- 2.7 ng/kg/min, 3 to 10 ng/kg/min) on blood pressure, plasma renin activity (PRA), and 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha (6-keto-PGF1 alpha) were studied in 7 patients with essential hypertension (4 men and 3 women) with a mean age of fifty-eight +/- eleven years (forty-six to seventy-four years). The baseline value of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha for patients with essential hypertension was not lower than in healthy subjects. Blood pressure immediately dropped following prostacyclin infusion. Systolic blood pressure returned to the baseline value after prostacyclin infusion was discontinued. However, diastolic blood pressure and mean arterial blood pressure were still significantly decreased thirty minutes after termination of infusion. Heart rate did not change during prostacyclin infusion but decreased significantly when infusion was terminated. PRA was not significantly affected by prostacyclin infusion. The 6-keto-PGF1 alpha level was about 8 times higher than the baseline value thirty minutes after initiation of prostacyclin infusion and approximately twice as high as the baseline value thirty minutes after termination of infusion. The decrease in mean arterial blood pressure coincided with the increase in 6-keto-PGF1 alpha. There was no correlation between mean arterial blood pressure and PRA, nor between PRA and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha. These results demonstrate that production of prostacyclin is not reduced in patients with essential hypertension, and heart rate and PRA are not changed by prostacyclin infusion, although prostacyclin decreases blood pressure.     

Altered aortic production of 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha from aldosterone-salt hypertensive rats.

Supersensitivity of vascular smooth muscle to catecholamines in aldosterone-salt hypertensive rats appears to reside beyond the alpha 1-adrenoceptor. The objective of this study was to assess the norepinephrine-stimulated production of arachidonic acid metabolites by aorta from control-salt rats (CSR) and aldosterone-salt hypertensive rats (AHR) to determine whether these metabolites might contribute to the altered sensitivity. Norepinephrine increased in a time-dependent manner the production of 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha (6-keto-PGF1 alpha), thromboxane B2 (TXB2) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) by the aortae of CSR. Production was an alpha 1-adrenoceptor-mediated event since it was inhibited greatly by prazosin but not by yohimbine. Basal values of the metabolites did not differ for 6-keto-PGF1 alpha and TXB2, but were higher in AHR compared with CSR for PGE2. The norepinephrine concentration-response curve for 6-keto-PGF1 alpha was shifted significantly to the right for the AHR group compared with CSR (EC50 = 2.30 +/- 0.55 and 0.29 +/- 0.07 microM, respectively) indicating decreased production of norepinephrine-stimulated prostaglandin I2 in AHR. The norepinephrine-stimulated TXB2 concentration-response curves for AHR and CSR were similar. Indomethacin was an effective inhibitor of TXB2 and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha production in both. Norepinephrine-stimulated contraction was significantly affected by indomethacin in CSR but not in AHR. Whereas we observed an attenuation of a norepinephrine-stimulated vasodilatory substance in aortae of AHR compared with CSR, the effect of attenuation on vascular activity is presently unclear.     

Relation of arachidonate metabolites to abnormal control of the pulmonary circulation in a child

To evaluate the role of arachidonate metabolites in regulating pulmonary vascular tone, we performed multiple studies on a 17-month-old girl with idiopathic pulmonary hypertension, systemic arterial hypoxemia (due to ventilation-perfusion mismatching), and an elevated thromboxane A2 (TXA2) to prostacyclin (PGI2) ratio due to increased TXA2 (measured as their stable metabolites, TXB2 and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, respectively). Intravenous infusions of PGI2 reduced mean pulmonary arterial pressure (from 80 to 47 mmHg), increased cardiac output (from 3.43 to 3.97 L/min), increased systemic arterial oxygen saturation (from 60 to 72 percent), and decreased the TXB2 to 6-keto-PGF1 alpha ratio (from 5.9 to 0.2); mean systemic arterial pressure was unchanged. Pharmacologically decreasing the TXB2 to 6-keto-PGF1 alpha ratio with administration of nifedipine or diltiazem also reduced pulmonary hypertension and increased systemic arterial oxygen saturation in this patient. Nifedipine and diltiazem decreased the ratio by decreasing TXB2. Prostacyclin decreased the ratio by increasing 6-keto-PGF1 alpha. These studies support the hypothesis that the balance between TXA2 and PGI2 is an important influence on pulmonary vascular tone.     

Changes in vascular wall production of prostacyclin and thromboxane A2 in spontaneously hypertensive rats during maturation and the concomitant development of hypertension

The purpose of this study was to clarify how the metabolism of vascular prostacyclin (PGI2) and thromboxane (TX) A2 in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) is involved in aging and development of hypertension. We removed the aortic walls from 5-week-old and 20 to 25-week-old SHR and age-matched Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY). At 5 weeks of age, there was no significant difference in basal and maximal (arachidonic acid 0.1 mM) 6-keto-PGF1 alpha production between SHR and WKY, but the TXB2 generation in the SHR aortic wall was markedly enhanced as compared with that in WKY. At 20 to 25 weeks of age, the SHR aortic wall synthesized about 1.5 times more 6-keto-PGF1 alpha in the basal condition and twice as much as in the maximal condition as did the WKY wall. However there was no significant difference in TXB2 production between SHR and WKY. Age-dependent increase of vascular 6-keto-PGF1 alpha was greater in SHR than in WKY. Moreover, the maximal/basal 6-keto-PGF1 alpha production ratio increased with age in SHR, but not in WKY. The synthesis of vascular TXB2 was enhanced with age in WKY, but did not change with age in SHR. These data suggest that not only the enhanced basal generation of vascular 6-keto PGF1 alpha but also a much greater reservoir of 6-keto-PGF 1 alpha synthesis in SHR was induced by both hypertension and maturity. The increased production of vascular TXB2 in young SHR may affect the development of hypertension.     

Evidence that prostacyclin mediates the vascular action of magnesium in humans

Evidence in vitro and in humans suggest that Mg2+ can alter systemic and renal vascular tone. However, the mechanism of these effects is not known. The role of vasodilator prostaglandin release and Ca2+ flux in Mg2+-induced changes in blood pressure and renal blood flow was studied in 10 normal subjects maintained on a fixed 80-mEq Na+ and K+ diet. Magnesium sulfate infused at 200 mg/hr for 3 hours reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure within 1 hour (from 119 +/- 2 [SEM] to 109 +/- 4 mm Hg systolic; from 74 +/- 3 to 64 +/- 4 mm Hg diastolic; p less than 0.02). This hypotensive response was seen in all subjects and persisted for 3 hours. The pulse rate did not change, but renal blood flow (p-aminohippurate clearance) increased (from 902 +/- 78 to 1108 +/- 130 ml/min/1.73 m2; p less than 0.05). The Mg2+ infusion produced a significant increase in the excretion of the stable prostaglandin I2 (PGI2) metabolite 6-keto-PGF1 alpha (from 96 +/- 12 to 154 +/- 16 ng/g creatinine; p less than 0.01). In contrast, urinary PGE2 was not altered (328 +/- 75 vs 399 +/- 145 ng/g creatinine; p greater than 0.6). To evaluate the functional role of PGI2 release, the cyclooxygenase inhibitors indomethacin (75 mg) or ibuprofen (600 mg) were given before the Mg2+ infusion. Both cyclooxygenase blockers, given in doses that inhibited immunoreactive 6-keto-PGF1 alpha release, completely prevented the Mg2+-induced decline in blood pressure and increased renal blood flow.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Cumulative inhibitory effect of low-dose aspirin on vascular prostacyclin and platelet thromboxane production in patients with atherosclerosis

The relationship between the antithrombotic and antiplatelet effects of aspirin is complex, since aspirin influences other systems that protect against thrombosis as well as inhibiting platelet function. We investigated possible cumulative effects of low-dose aspirin on vascular production of prostacyclin in patients with documented atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Candidates for coronary artery vein graft bypass ingested 20 mg of aspirin daily during the week before surgery, and platelet aggregation, platelet formation of thromboxane A2 (TXA2), aortic and saphenous vein production of prostacyclin (PGI2), and hemostatic status were measured at the time of the bypass surgery. Low-dose aspirin markedly inhibited platelet aggregation responses and reduced TXA2 generation by greater than 90%, effects similar to those observed with much higher doses of aspirin. Both aortic and saphenous vein production of PGI2 were inhibited by 50% compared with PGI2 produced by vascular tissues of control subjects who received no aspirin preoperatively (51 +/- 10 pg 6-keto-PGF1 alpha/mg aortic wet weight [mean +/- SEM] in aspirin-treated subjects vs 130 +/- 16 pg/mg in control subjects, and 71 +/- 8 pg/mg saphenous vein wet weight vs 131 +/- 17 pg/mg). Blood loss at surgery was not significantly increased by preoperative low-dose aspirin as measured by chest tube drainage (754 +/- 229 ml in aspirin-treated subjects vs 645 +/- 271 ml in control subjects), hematocrit nadir (31.2 +/- 1.9% vs 31.8 +/- 1.7%), or transfusions (2.2 +/- 1.3 units of red blood cells vs 2.2 +/- 1.7 units).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)