Modulation by endogenous prostanoids of the vasoconstrictor activity of endothelin-1 in the canine isolated, perfused spleen.

1. Endothelin-1 (ET-1, 0.4-200 pmol) was injected into the arterial circuit of the isolated perfused spleen of the dog in which splenic arterial perfusion pressure and spleen weight were recorded continuously. 2. Serial collection was made of splenic venous effluent before and after intra-arterial injection of ET-1 and assayed by direct radioimmunoassay for prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), 6-oxo-PGF1 alpha and thromboxane B2 (TXB2). 3. ET-1 caused graded arterial vasoconstriction of prolonged duration with small reductions in spleen weight at higher doses. 4. ET-1 cause a dose-related release of PGE2, 6-oxo-PGF1 alpha and TXB2 into the splenic venous effluent. The mean peak increase above the basal levels following 200 pmol of ET-1 was 800% for PGE2, 233% for 6-oxo-PGF1 alpha and 205% for TXB2. 5. Intra-arterial infusion of indomethacin significantly reduced the basal release of all three eicosanoids and significantly elevated the basal splenic vascular resistance. The release of all three eicosanoids in response to ET-1 and adrenaline (Ad) was significantly reduced by indomethacin and the accompanying increases in the splenic arterial vascular resistance were significantly potentiated at low doses of ET-1. The splenic arterial vascular responses to Ad were unchanged by indomethacin infusion. 6. These results indicate that the release of eicosanoids may modulate the splenic vascular responses to ET-1.