Influence of ricinoleic acid on the contractions elicited by PGE2 on the guinea-pig ileum.

The effect of ricinoleic acid on prostaglandin E2 (PGE2)-evoked contractions was studied on guinea-pig isolated ileum. Addition of ricinoleic acid (10 micrograms ml-1) to the organ bath increased the amplitude of the PGE2-evoked responses. Ricinoleic acid (10 micrograms ml-1) also sensitized the guinea-pig isolated ileum to acetylcholine and histamine. The effect of the ricinoleic acid was greatly reduced by indomethacin either in-vivo (10 mg ml-1) or in-vitro (2 micrograms ml-1).