Impaired response of gastric vessels to prostaglandin E2 in rats with persistent obstructive jaundice

We investigated the response of gastric vessels to prostaglandin (PG) E2 after intra-duodenal release of bile in rats with obstructive jaundice. The animals were divided in four groups according to duration of bile duct obstruction (BDO): control and 1 week (W), 2W, and 3W groups. Prolonged BDO decreased gastric mucosal blood flow (BF) significantly. The BF recovered after the release of BDO in the 1W and 2W groups, but not in the 3W group. BDO decreased PGE2 content in gastric mucosa in the 1W, 2W, and 3W groups. PGE2 decreased vascular perfusion pressure of the isolated stomach in the control and 2W groups, but not in the 3W group. The response of gastric vessels to PGE2 was poor in the 3W group compared with the control and 2W groups. Decreased PGE2 in the gastric mucosa and decreased response of gastric vessels to PGE2 may affect gastric blood flow in obstructive jaundice.