Preliminary investigation on the central action of prostacyclin (PGI2) in rats.

Prostacyclin (PGI2) injected ivc in doses of 25 and 100 micrograms/rat increased body temperature, decreased spontaneous locomotor activity and amphetamine-induced locomotor hyperactivity in Wistar rats, in a dose of 100 micrograms inhibited apomorphine-induced stereotypy and potentiated haloperidol-induced catalepsy. PGI2 in both doses decreased noradrenaline level, in a dose of 100 micrograms it increased the cerebral level of dopamine but did not influence the utilization of these amines in the rat brain. PGI2 in a dose of 100 micrograms also increased the concentration of serotonin, but did not change the cerebral 5-hydroxyindoloacetic acid concentration.