Interactions of vasopressin, cAMP, and prostaglandins in toad urinary bladder.

Prostaglandin (PG) inhibits the hydroosmotic effect of vasopressin. We therefore reexamined the interaction of vasopressin (VP), cAMP, and prostaglandins in toad bladder epithelial cells. Vasopressin slightly, but reproducibly, stimulated PGE2 and thromboxane B2 (TXB2) synthesis in cells prepared by the use of collagenase. When cells were prepared in the presence of a readily reversible cyclooxygenase inhibitor, ibuprofen, subsequent PGE2 synthesis was enhanced sevenfold but that of TXB2 was not. Increasing cAMP by either phosphodiesterase inhibition or 8-bromo-cAMP significantly inhibited both basal and VP-stimulated PGE2 synthesis. This inhibition was overcome by addition of arachidonic acid. Future studies employing these agents will have to consider these effects. VP enhanced 32P labeling of phosphatidylinositol (PI) and phosphatidic acid. This effect was prevented by the phosphodiesterase inhibitor, which also decreased phosphatidylcholine labeling. The results indicate that the phosphodiesterase inhibitor for cAMP may decrease PG formation by interfering with phospholipase activation. Furthermore, VP, similar to its effect in the liver, also increases PI turnover in toad bladder. This may initiate PG synthesis and provide a link among VP, cAMP, and calcium. A double-reciprocal feedback is proposed, whereby VP stimulates PG synthesis in a cAMP-independent manner and also inhibits PG synthesis in a cAMP-dependent manner.