PGE2: metabolic effects in healthy volunteers

Some metabolic and haemodynamic responses to intravenous prostaglandin (PG) were studied in five healthy male volunteers, aged 27-40. Subjects, who fasted overnight, rested supine for for 30 min before any measurements were made. Control pulse rate and arterial blood pressure were recorded and 20ml venous blood drawn for analysis. Intravenous infusion of PGE2 5 microgram/min then began and was continued for 15 min; the dose was then increased to 7.5 microgram/min. Measurements were made during the infusion at 15 and 30 min and also 15 min after infusion was stopped. Pulse rate increased but blood pressure was unaffected by the infusion. Glycerol and FFA levels rose, whereas lactate and pyruvate levels fell during the infusion. The rise in glycerol level was significant at 30 min. The changes recorded were slight in clinical terms but the study provides a baseline for the screening of other PG analogues.