Indomethacin attenuates post-suspension hypotension in Sprague-Dawley rats

Orthostatic hypotension is a serious condition that is sometimes manifested in astronauts during standing postflight. These observations may be related to impairment of autonomic function and/or excessive production of endothelium-dependent relaxing factors. To evaluate the role of the cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin as a countermeasure against the post-suspension reduction in mean arterial pressure (MAP), we examined the cardiovascular responses to 7-day 30 degrees tail-suspension and a subsequent 6-hr post-suspension period in conscious male Sprague-Dawley rats. Indomethacin (2 mg/kg) or saline were administered intravenously prior to release from suspension and at 2 and 4 hrs post-suspension. Direct MAP and heart rate were determined prior to suspension, daily and every 2 hrs post-suspension. During suspension, MAP did not change, in contrast, during post-suspension; it decreased compared to parallel non-suspended, untreated animals. There were no significant changes in heart rate. The reduction in MAP post-suspension was associated with significant increases in plasma prostacyclin. Indomethacin attenuated the observed post-suspension reduction in MAP and reduced plasma prostacyclin levels. Also, the baroreflex sensitivity for heart rate was modified by indomethacin--the MAP threshold for baroreflex activation was raised and the effective MAP range expanded. Thus, the post suspension reduction in mean arterial pressure may be due to overproduction of vasodilatory prostaglandins and/or other endothelium-dependent relaxing factors and alteration in baroreflex activity.