Histamine-stimulated prostaglandin synthesis in rat brain microvessels.

The histamine-sensitivity of prostacyclin and prostaglandin synthesis was investigated in isolated brain microvessels prepared from normal and hypoxic exercised rats. 10(-4) M histamine stimulated the in vitro synthesis of all components of arachidonate cascade. The chronic hypoxic exercise also resulted in an enhanced production of each fraction. Hypoxia and histamine showed an additive effect in the synthesis of PGE2 only. The possible molecular mechanism induced by hypoxia and histamine is discussed.