Captopril potentiates depressor responses to arachidonic acid in the rat.

1. In chloralose anaesthetized rats intravenous administration of captopril (0.5 mg/kg) was followed by an approximately 100-fold decrease in sensitivity to the pressor actions of angiotensin I. Concomitantly there was a 100-fold increase in sensitivity to the depressor effects of bradykinin. 2. Depressor responses to intravenous prostacyclin (PGI2), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) or a low dose of arachidonic acid (1 mg/kg) were not changed by captopril administration, but responses to a high dose of arachidonic acid (3 mg/kg), given either intravenously or into the aortic arch, were enhanced for up to two hours afterwards. 3. Depressor responses to arachidonic acid, both before and after captopril, were inhibited after intravenous indomethacin (1 mg/kg). 4. These results support the hypothesis that increased synthesis of prostaglandins in the circulation contributes to the hypotensive action of captopril.