Effects of endogenous prostaglandin E on intestinal motility

The role of endogenous prostaglandin E (PGE) in the regulation of intestinal motility in situ was studied in cats anesthetized with pentobarbital. The basal concentration of PGE in the ileum was found by radioimmunoassay to be 3.3 +/- 0.6 ng PGE per g wet wt (chi +/- SE, n = 12). Intramesenteric arterial infusion of acetylcholine (ACh) (100 microgram/min) increased intestinal motility, and PGE concentration rose to 6.7 +/- 0.8 ng/g. Intravenous infusion of indomethacin (4 mg/kg) enhanced spontaneous and ACh-induced motility and abolished the ACh-induced rise in ileal PGE concentration. We conclude that basal PGE synthesis limits the motility of the resting and ACh-stimulated cat ileum.