Histamine dilates pial arterioles of newborn pigs through prostanoid production

To test the hypothesis that histamine would dilate pial arterioles via a prostanoid mechanism, histamine was placed on the brain surface of anesthetized newborn pigs via a closed cranial window. Pial arteriolar diameters were measured after topical application of 10(-7), 10(-6), 10(-5), 10(-4), and 10(-3) M histamine. In addition, cortical cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was collected for radioimmunoassay of 6-ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha (6-keto-PGF1 alpha), thromboxane B2 (TxB2), prostaglandin D2 (PGD2), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha). The animals were then randomized to receive either indomethacin trihydrate (5 mg/kg, iv) or an equal volume of saline (vehicle). The protocol then was repeated. Histamine (before indomethacin or vehicle infusion) caused concentration-dependent vasodilation. This vasodilation was accompanied by a significant increase in cortical CSF 6-keto-PGF1 alpha and PGE2. Concentrations of TxB2, PGD2, and PGF2 alpha were not altered significantly by histamine application. Pretreatment with indomethacin blocked the histamine-induced cerebral vasodilation, but vasodilation after vehicle was intact. These data imply that histamine dilates the pial arterioles of newborn pigs by stimulating the synthesis of vasodilator prostanoids.