Prostaglandins and high blood pressure.

Prostaglandins A1, B1, E2, Falpha and PRA have been measured by radioimmunoassay in peripheral or renal venous blood of different groups of hypertensive and control subjects. PGA1 and PGE2 were significantly increased in renal, renovascular, labile and essential hypertension. PGFalpha was significantly increased only in patients with unilateral renal atrophy and in some patients with renovascular and essential hypertension. There was a significant positive correlation between PRA and PGA1 or B1, but not with PGE2 or Falpha. The increase of PGA and PGE represents a secondary antihypertensive, diuretic and natriuretic mechanism, the increase of PGF a direct hypertensive mechanism.