Vasodepressor effects of arachidonic acid and prostacyclin (PGI2) in hypertensive rats.

Abstract

1. Vasodepressor responses to prostacyclin and nitroprusside were compared in anaesthetized, spontaneously hypertensive rats of the Okamoto strain and Wistar--Kyoto controls, and also in one-kidney, one-clip hypertensive rats and unilaterally nephrectomized controls of the Sprague--Dawley strain. The responses, measured as a percentage of resting blood pressure, did not differ significantly between the hypertensive rats and the normotensive controls within each strain. 2. The effects of intravenous injections of arachidonic acid were also studied in each strain. 3. The vasodepressor effects of high doses of arachidonic acid (1 or 3 mg/kg) were much greater and more prolonged in both groups o..