Measurement of circulating prostacyclin

R. J. Haslam; M. D. McClenaghan

doi:10.1038/292364a0

Abstract

Prostacyclin (PGI₂) is a potent inhibitor of platelet aggregation and a vasodilator that is synthesized from prostaglandin endo-peroxides by vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cells^1,2. Its action on platelets is mediated by cyclic AMP^3–5. Circulating PGI₂ has been detected through its inhibitory effect on the accumulation of platelets on collagen strips superfused with blood from anaesthetized and heparinized cats⁶ and rabbits⁷ and this led to the suggestion that PGI₂ is released continuously into blood passing through the lungs and functions as a circulating hormone that regulates platelet aggregability^6–9. Because of its chemical instability, no more sensitive method of detecting circulating PGI₂ has been developed and there is doubt over whether PGI₂ is present in more physiological conditions^10,11. Although 6-keto-PGF_1α, the stable non-enzymatic breakdown product of PGI₂, has been assayed in human^12,13 and rabbit^14,15 plasma, uncertainty over the fraction present as PGI₂ in the circulation has limited the value of the results obtained. Finally, it has been suggested that 6-keto-PGE₁, a metabolic product of PGI₂ or 6-keto-PGF_1α that can inhibit platelet aggregation^16,17, may also function as a circulating hormone¹⁸. To resolve these uncertainties, we have now developed a sensitive bioassay for PGI₂-like compounds in blood. The results indicate that fresh arterial blood from physiologically normal rabbits contains insufficient PGI₂ or 6-keto-PGE₁ to affect platelet function.

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Department of Pathology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8N 3Z5
- R. J. Haslam
- & M. D. McClenaghan

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Publication history

Received

02 March 1981

Accepted

08 May 1981

Published

23 July 1981

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1038/292364a0

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