[Pressor-depressor prostaglandins in patients with stage-II hypertension]

The authors investigated the basal level of pressor and depressor fractions of blood plasma prostaglandins in 92 patients with hypertensive disease (stage II) showing a different plasma renin activity and reaction of the prostaglandin system to acute furosemide loads in 27 patients and 16 practically healthy persons. It was found that the hypertensive patients revealed a prevailing pressor fraction of prostaglandins against the background of unchanged depressor prostaglandins. In the healthy stimulation with the saluretic agent resulted in physiological mobility of the system of prostaglandins manifested in a rapid response of the humoral system directed to limitation of fluid and sodium losses. In hypertensive disease, however, there occurred a sharp reduction of the reactive capacity of the depressor system, its exhaustion and inertness.