Pleocytosis and elevation of prostaglandins F2a and E2 in cerebrospinal fluid following intracisternal injection of thrombin.

A marked pleocytosis and increase in the levels of prostaglandin F2a (PGF2a) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) were noted in cerebrospinal fluid of dogs within two hours following the intracisternal injection of thrombin. Quantitation of the prostaglandins (PG's) was done by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy using deuterated PGF2a and PGE2 as internal standards. Whereas the levels of these prostaglandins were below the sensitivity of the method in control animals, a marked increase was noted following thrombin. PGF2a levels were 15-21 ng/ml and the PGE2 levels were 55-72 ng/ml. This concentration of the PG's is adequate to cause spasm of the cerebral vessels and could explain the spasm which occurs following the intracisternal injection of thrombin. These two effects, a pleocytosis and elevation of PG levels, may be specific to thrombin.