Neuroeffector actions of prostaglandin D2 on isolated dog mesenteric arteries.

Treatment with prostaglandin (PG) D2 in concentrations (10(-8) to 10(-7) M) insufficient to alter the basal tone potentiated the contractile response of helical strips of dog mesenteric arteries to transmural electrical stimulation but did not influence the response to norepinephrine. The potentiating effect of PGD2 was not prevented by treatment with diphloretin phosphate, a PG antagonist, whereas contractions of dog cerebral arteries induced by PGD2 were suppressed. The 3H-overflow evoked by transmural stimulation in superfused mesenteric arterial strips previously soaked in 3H-norepinephrine containing media was significantly increased in PGD2. It is concluded that PGD2 increases the stimulation-evoked release of norepinephrine from adrenergic nerves innervating the arterial wall. PGD2 appears to act differently on receptive sites responsible for increasing the release of norepinephrine and for producing arterial contraction.