Prostaglandin production by rabbit isolated jejunum and its relationship to the inherent tone of the preparation.

1 Pieces of rabbit jejunum were bathed in Krebs solution at 37 degrees C in an isolated organ bath bubbled with O2 and 5% CO2. The bathing fluid was collected regularly and assayed for prostaglandins. 2 The preparations maintained a continuous sub-maximal muscle contraction, referred to as inherent 'tone'. Prostaglandins E2 and F2alpha were continuously generated by the intestine and released into the bathing fluid. The amounts released first declined over 2 h and then steadily increased. The release was also greater after 48 h storage in the refrigerator and after mechanical damage. 3 There was no change in prostaglandin release when the rabbit jejunum was contractd by acetylcholine or physostigmine or relaxed by adrenaline, hyoscine, papaverine, dinitrophenol, or calcium-free Krebs solution. 4 Addition to the bathing fluid of the prostaglandin precursor, arachidonic acid, did not increase the release of prostaglandins although it contracted the tissue. Thus, output of prostaglandins from the tissue was not limited by substrate concentration but more probably by the capacity of the prostaglandin synthetase. 5 Prostaglandin output was decreased by bubbling the bathing fluid with N2 rather than O2; at the same time the preparation relaxed. 6 Aspirin-like drugs such as indomethacin also decreased or abolished prostaglandin formation and this, too, was accompanied by loss of tone of the isolated preparation. 7 Pieces of rabbit jejunum stored in Krebs solution containing indomethacin initially released little or no prostaglandin into the bathing fluid. However, prostaglandin release increased with repeated washing of the preparation. 8 The results suggest that intra-mural prostaglandin production contributes to the inherent tone of the rabbit jejunum, that trauma increases prostaglandin production and that the inhibitory effects of anoxia are linked with the lack of prostaglandin production and activity. The relevance of these findings to intestinal activity in vivo is discussed.