Effects of a novel prostaglandin, 8-epi-PGF2 alpha, in rabbit lung in situ.

We determined the effects of 8-epiprostaglandin (PG) F2 alpha, a noncyclooxygenase free radical-catalyzed product of arachidonic acid, on pulmonary vascular tone, its potency, and its mechanism of action. 8-Epi-PGF2 alpha (0.5-20 micrograms) was injected into the pulmonary artery (PA) catheter of 10 rabbits whose lungs were perfused in situ with Krebs-Henseleit buffer solution with 3% bovine serum albumin. PA pressure increased from a baseline of 13.5 +/- 0.6 to 25.6 +/- 2.0 cmH2O with 20 micrograms 8-epi-PGF2 alpha. 8-Epi-PGF2 alpha caused a rapid rise in PA pressure followed by a gradual decline over 40-60 min to baseline levels. Double vascular occlusion revealed a twofold increase in arterial resistance at peak rise in PA pressure. The rise in PA pressure with 20 micrograms 8-epi-PGF2 alpha was fivefold greater than with 20 micrograms of the cyclooxygenase-derived prostaglandin PGF2 alpha. The PA pressure response to 8-epi-PGF2 alpha was not altered by either cyclooxygenase block-ade with 150 microM meclofenamate or alpha-receptor blockade with 70 microM phentolamine, but was fully prevented by 40 microM SQ 29548, a thromboxane receptor antagonist. We conclude that in rabbits 8-epi-PGF2 alpha is a potent vasoconstrictor of the pulmonary vasculature, which appears to be due to the activation of SQ 29548-responsive thromboxane receptors.