Effect of indomethacin on active and inactive renin in sodium-replete men at rest and during exercise

The effect of fatty acid cyclooxygenase inhibition by indomethacin on active renin and on acid-activable inactive renin was studied in nine healthy men with sodium repletion, at rest and during exercise. These volunteers were tested after treatment with placebo or indomethacin (150 mg daily for 3 days). During administration of indomethacin, total, active, and inactive renin levels were reduced at rest and during exercise. However, the exercise-induced stimulation of active and total renin still occurred during indomethacin administration. Indomethacin reduced (p less than 0.001), during rest sitting and at maximal exercise, the plasma concentrations of immunoreactive prostaglandin E2, prostaglandin F2 alpha, and 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin F2 alpha. Urinary excretion of immunoreactive prostaglandin E2 and F2 alpha was also reduced.