Prostacyclin in (extracted) plasma of essential hypertensives.

Plasma 6-Keto-Prostaglandin F1 alpha (6-Keto PG F1 alpha; stable hydrolysis product of prostacyclin) levels in 24 patients with essential hypertension and 15 age and sex matched healthy controls were studied. 6-Keto PG F1 alpha levels were measured in extracted plasma by radioimmunoassay using a commercial kit. The 6-Keto PG F1 alpha levels were significantly (P less than 0.001) higher in hypertensive patients as compared to controls. The raised levels of plasma 6-Keto PG F1 alpha in hypertensive patients may be an adaptive response of blood vessels to increased blood pressure.