The generation of prostacyclin by arteries and by the coronary vascular bed is reduced in experimental atherosclerosis in rabbits.

Experimental atherosclerosis in rabbits was associated with a suppression of prostacyclin generation from exogenous arachidonic acid by the coronary vascular bed. The spontaneous formation of prostacyclin by incubated rings of mesenteric artery was also diminished. These results suggest that in atherosclerosis an impaired activity of the endothelial prostacyclin synthexizing system contributes to the intra-arterial formation of thrombi.