Cigarette smoke inhalation specifically inhibits depressor responses to prostacyclin in the rat

Studies have been made of the effects of prior exposure to cigarette smoke on cardiovascular responses of the anaesthetized rat to arachidonic acid, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), PGF2 alpha and PGI2. When compared with a control group, falls in systolic and diastolic blood pressure and tachycardia following intravenous PGI2 were significantly reduced in those animals exposed to smoke 1 and 24 h previously. Responses 48 h after exposure were not significantly different. Pressor effects of PGF2 alpha and depressor responses to arachidonic acid and PGE2 were not significantly affected these times. It is suggested that the specific and long lasting attenuation of the effects of PGI2 which occurs following cigarette smoke inhalation could contribute to both acute cardiovascular changes and the circulatory diseases associated with smoking.