Role of prostaglandins in initiating cardiovascular reflexes originating from the pancreas and the gall bladder.

The application of bradykinin or other algesic substances to the serosal surface of the gall bladder or the pancreas evokes reflex increases in cardiovascular function. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether prostaglandins modulate these reflex responses when visceral receptors are activated by bradykinin. The application of bradykinin or capsaicin to the gall bladder and the pancreas initially elicited increases in arterial pressure in anaesthetised cats. Local inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis with indomethacin greatly attenuated the pressor response to activation of gall bladder or pancreatic receptors by bradykinin. The pressor response to capsaicin was not altered by indomethacin. Thus prostaglandins appear to be involved in the activation of visceral receptors by bradykinin, which results in an increase in cardiovascular function.