Evaluation for roles of brain prostaglandins in the catecholamine-induced vasopressin secretion in conscious rats.

To evaluate roles of prostaglandins (PGs) in vasopressin (AVP) secretion elicited by stimulating alpha-adrenergic and dopaminergic receptors in the periventricular region, we examined in conscious rats the effects of intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injections of a cyclooxygenase inhibitor meclofenamate on the plasma AVP responses to i.c.v. applications of angiotensin II (ANG II), phenylephrine and dopamine. I.c.v. injections of 58 pmol ANG II produced, 5 and 15 min later, augmentations of plasma AVP accompanied by elevations of arterial pressure and tendencies of reduction in heart rate. Similarly, the administrations of 0.53 mumol phenylephrine or dopamine enhanced plasma AVP 5 min later, without altering arterial pressure and heart rate significantly. Meclofenamate (0.31 mumol) applied i.c.v. 30 min prior to the administrations of ANG II remarkably inhibited the AVP and pressor responses to this peptide. However, the responses of plasma AVP, arterial pressure and heart rate to phenylephrine or dopamine were not affected by the i.c.v. administrations of 0.31 mumol meclofenamate. The injections of meclofenamate followed by the administrations of a vehicle for ANG II and the catecholamines were without effect on plasma AVP and the cardiovascular parameters. Plasma osmolality, sodium, potassium and chloride in all the groups mentioned above were not significantly changed during experiments. These results suggest that PGs generated in the periventricular region, despite their probable stimulatory roles in the ANG II-evoked AVP secretion, may not participate in the AVP-releasing mechanisms activated by dopaminergic and alpha-adrenergic receptors, supporting the view that PGs and the catecholamines may facilitate AVP release via separate pathways.