Effects of cyclo-oxygenase and thromboxane synthetase inhibitors on right atrial prostaglandins.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to find out the effects of cyclo-oxygenase and thromboxane synthetase inhibitors on right atrial prostacyclin and thromboxane A2 levels.

METHODS

The study consisted of a total of 50 patients subjected to coronary bypass surgery. These patients were divided into two groups, Group I and Group II each consisting of 25 patients. In Group I patients, the right atrial tissues were studied for effects of indomethacin and U63557A on the prostaglandin levels. In Group II patients, the right atrial tissues were studied for effects of Aspirin and U63557A on the prostaglandin levels.

RESULTS

In Group I patients, the atrial tissues pretreated with indomethacin showed a fall in the levels of 6 keto PGF1 alpha from 153.5 +/- 28.4 pg/0.1 mg to 59.7 +/- 11.6 pg/0.1 mg and of TXB2 from 41.6 +/- 1.2 pg/0.1 mg to 17.2 +/- 3.2 pg/0.1 mg. In the atrial tissues of Group I treated with U63557A the levels of 6 keto PGF1 alpha fell to 145.4 +/- 26.8 pg/0.1 mg and the levels of TXB2 fell to 14.7 +/- 2.8 pg/0.1 mg. In Group II patients, the atrial tissues pretreated with aspirin, showed a fall in the levels of 6 keto PGF1 alpha from 142.1 +/- 2.8 pg/0.1 mg to 17.5 +/- 0.8 pg/0.1 mg. In the atrial tissues pretreated with U63557A, the levels of 6 keto PGF1 alpha fell to 131.2 +/- 2.9 pg/0.1 mg and the levels of TXB2 fell to 14.4 +/- 0.7 pg/0.1 mg.

CONCLUSIONS

The study showed that human right atrial tissues are capable of producing TXA2 in addition to prostacyclin. Indomethacin and aspirin by inhibiting generation of cyclic endoperoxides inhibited synthesis of both prostacyclin and TXA2. In contrast a thromboxane synthethase inhibitor U63557A selectively inhibited TXA2 without significant effects on prostacyclin synthesis.