Attenuation by prostaglandins of adrenergically induced renal vasoconstriction in anesthetized rats

We have investigated the role of prostaglandins (PG) in the modulation of adrenergic neuroeffector events by examining the effect of PGI2 and PGE2 and their precursor, arachidonic acid, on the decrease in renal blood flow elicited by renal nerve stimulation or by injected norepinephrine in pentobarbital-anesthetized rats, with or without pretreatment with the cyclooxygenase inhibitor, sodium meclofenamate. Administration of PGI2 or PGE2 (0.4 micrograms X kg-1 X min-1) or arachidonic acid (5 micrograms X kg-1 X min-1) into the renal artery reduced vascular resistance and inhibited the vasoconstrictor response elicited by renal nerve stimulation or by injected norepinephrine. In contrast, administration of sodium meclofenamate (10 mg/kg iv + 30 micrograms X kg-1 X min-1) into the renal artery increased renal vascular resistance and enhanced the renal vasoconstrictor response to both adrenergic stimuli. In animals pretreated with the cyclooxygenase inhibitor, the ability of arachidonic acid, but not that of either PGE2 or PGI2, to reduce renal vascular resistance and the vasoconstrictor response to either nerve stimulation or injected norepinephrine was abolished. These data indicate that one or more prostaglandins, probably PGE2 or PGI2, formed in the kidney reduce renal vascular tone by their direct action on the vascular smooth muscle and by attenuating the influence of adrenergic stimuli on renal vasculature.