Effects of indomethacin, naproxen and paracetamol on regional blood flow in rabbits: a microsphere study.

Ulcerogenic side-effects and prostaglandin-synthesis-inhibiting capacity are well documented in indomethacin treatment. According to recent works, indomethacin reduces gastrointestinal blood-flow. Naproxen and paracetamol, claimed to be prostaglandin-synthesis-inhibitors, have few ulcerogenic side effects. In an attempt further to study the indomethacin effects and to reveal whether naproxen and paracetamol have similar effects, the labelled microsphere technique was used. The regional blood flow determinations were made before, and 12-15 min. after, the injection of the drugs. Indomethacin 3 mg/kg, reduced gastrointestinal blood flow and increased arterial blood flow to the liver. Naproxen, 10 mg/kg, and paracetamol, 25 mg/kg, had no effects except for a very small decrease in liver blood flow with paracetamol. The results strongly suggest that, at least under light general anaesthesia, prostaglandins influence resting blood flow in the gastrointestinal tract, the liver and parts of the brain. The results more raise doubts whether naproxen and paracetamol inhibit prostaglandin synthesis in these tissues. These data offer a plausible explanation as to why naproxen and paracetamol are usually well tolerated in the gastrointestinal tract. None of the drugs tested influenced resting blood flow in muscles, tendons, bones, joints or synovial membranes.