Role of the renal prostaglandins in furosemide-induced diuresis.

The role of the renal prostaglandin (PG) system in the renal effects of furosemide was assessed by using indomethacin, an inhibitor of PG synthetase, in conscious rats under conditions of vasopressin infusion (or dehydration). Urinary PGE and PGF2 alpha were measured by radioimmunoassay under conditions of furosemide-induced diuresis. The diuretic and natriuretic effects of furosemide were accompanied by a concomitant increase in the urinary excretion of PGE. In normal rats the pretreatment of indomethacin at 10 mg/kg failed to alter the diuretic effect of furosemide (5 mg/kg). In contrast, the diuretic effect of furosemide in vasopressin (2 U/kg)-infused (or dehydrated) rats was greatly inhibited by indomethacin. In regard to the natriuretic effect of furosemide, indomethacin did impair this response to furosemide both in normal and vasopressin-infused (or dehydrated) rats, but inhibited more strongly in the latter than in the former. These results suggest that the renal PGE is necessary for furosemide to produce optimal diuretic and natriuretic effects under conditions of vasopressin infusion (or dehydration).