The effect of prostaglandin and kinin synthesis inhibition on blood pressure during infusion of angiotensin II in the conscious rabbit.

The contribution of vasodilator prostaglandins and kinins to blood pressure regulation was studied during the infusion of different doses of angiotensin II in conscious rabbits. Angiotensin II was infused for 60 min. in each experiment. Indomethacin, a prostaglandin synthesis inhibitor, or Trasylol, a kallikrein inhibitor, was given at the 30 min. interval. Indomethacin caused a sustained increase in blood pressure during the infusion of pressor doses of angiotensin II. The range of the mean increase after prostaglandin synthesis inhibition was 3.4 to 6.0 and 3.0 to 9.4 mm Hg at angiotensin II infusion rates of 10 and 50 ng/kg/min respectively. In contrast, indomethacin did not alter blood pressure when the peptide was administered at subpressor levels. Trasylol did not alter blood pressure during infusion of angiotensin II. These results suggest that when blood pressure is maintained at supranormal levels by angiotensin II, the pressor action is attenuated by one or more prostaglandins; an event which is not mediated or assisted by changes in kinin metabolism.