Anti-hypoxic effect of prostacyclin.

The anti-hypoxic effect of prostacyclin (PGI2) was studied using the following methods: hypoventilation hypoxia and hypovolemic oligemia in cats and hypobaric hypoxia and complete ischemia by decapitation in mice. In experiments on cats PGI2 (250 ng/kg/min i.v.) led to an improvement of hypoxia-impaired EEG activity. In hypobaric hypoxia, PGI2 at all doses applied (50-500 micrograms/kg) led to a significant increase in the survival time (from 67.5% to 196%). In complete ischemia by decapitation, PGI2 at doses from 50 to 500 micrograms/kg significantly prolonged the gasping movements (from 7.8% to 20.6%). Different mechanisms of the anti-hypoxic effect of PGI2 are discussed. The effect observed would be potentially beneficial in hypoxic and ischemic states.