Stimulation of cyclo-oxygenase by lidocaine, a pro-lipoperoxidant.

Lidocaine, which was recently demonstrated to be a good pro-lipoperoxidant, was tested on in vitro PGs biosynthesis, and on arachidonate-induced arterial hypotension, in the rabbit. In the in vitro experiments, lidocaine alone was a poor stimulant of cyclo-oxygenase, but it enhanced significantly the cyclo-oxygenase activation of uric acid. In the rabbit, lidocaine lowered the i.v. arachidonate dose necessary to obtain a significant drop of blood pressure.