Vasoconstrictor response to arachidonic acid in the isolated hind limb of the dog

1 Arachidonic acid(AA) (25-200 mug/kg) produced a dose-related increase in perfusion pressure in dog isolated hind limbs perfused with either blood or a platelet-free perfusate. 2 Prostaglandin E2 produced vasodilation while prostaglandin F2 alpha produced no vascular change at these administered doses. 3 Phentolamine did not alter the arachidonic acid response, eliminating possible alpha-adrenoceptor mediation. 4 Aspirin and idomethacin blocked the vasoconstrictor response to AA. 5 This study indicates that a vasoactive intermediate in prostaglandin synthesis can be elaborated in the absence of platelets.