Release of prostaglandin E-like material from perfused mesenteric blood vessels of rabbits

Infusions of noradrenaline (1-3 mug ml(-1) min(-1)) into the mesenteric vascular preparation of the rabbit caused a 2 to 5 fold rise in perfusion pressure and a release of prostaglandin E-like material (3.23 +/- 0.65 (s.e.) ng PGE2 equivalents ml(-1)). Indomethacin (3 mug ml(-1)) prevented whereas arachidonic acid (0.2 mug ml(-1)) augmented, the noradrenaline-evoked release of a prostaglandin E-like material. The walls of arterioles or precapillary vessels are the proposed site of prostaglandin generation.