Prostanoids modulate opioid-induced increases in cerebrospinal fluid vasopressin concentration.

Topical dynorphin and beta-endorphin produce increases in both prostanoid and vasopressin concentrations in cortical periarachnoid fluid of newborn pigs. The present study, in anesthetized piglets with cranial windows implanted, investigated the role of these prostanoids in the mediation of this vasopressin release by opioids. Topical prostaglandin (PG) I2 (100 ng/ml) increased pial arteriolar diameter from 145 +/- 4 to 178 +/- 4 microns and also increased cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) vasopressin from 1.1 +/- 0.1 to 4.1 +/- 0.5 microU/ml, but CSF vasopressin was not changed by PGE2, PGF2 alpha, and U-46619. Therefore, it is possible that PGI2 causes the increase in CSF vasopressin produced by opioids. Consistent with this concept, indomethacin and aspirin blocked dynorphin- and beta-endorphin-induced vasopressin release. The present data indicate that PGI2 contributes to opioid-induced changes in CSF vasopressin concentration and, thereby, to vasopressinergic contributions to opioid-induced cerebral vascular responses.