Prostacyclin production and lipid peroxidation in the aorta of rats fed with cholesterol autoxidation products.

The stable metabolite of prostacyclin 6-keto PGF1 alpha originating from the (1-14C) arachidonic acid, and lipid peroxidation expressed as thiobarbituric acid-reacting substance (TBARS) were studied in the aorta of rats fed a diet enriched in 2% w/w cholesterol autoxidation products for 24 hours prior to sacrifice. A slight increase was found in the amount of TBARS as well as in the conversion of (1-14C) arachidonic acid to 6-keto PGF1 alpha. These results suggest that in aorta there exists a protection mechanism which acts to increase the production of prostacyclin.