Central noradrenergic neurons and the hypertensive effects of intracerebroventricularly administered prostaglandin E2 in anaesthetized rabbits.

The participation of central noradrenergic neurons in the pressor responses to intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of prostaglandin (PG) E2 was studied in anaesthetized rabbits. The hypertensive effect induced by i.c.v. injection of PGE2 was inhibited by i.c.v. pretreatment with 6-hydroxydopamine and phentolamine, but not propranolol. These findings suggest that the cerebral noradrenergic neurons may be involved in the development of hypertensive effect of PGE2 through the adrenergic alpha-receptors.