Effect of endotoxin on hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction--the role of prostaglandins and leukotrienes.

In this study, we observed the effect of endotoxemia on hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV) in dogs and explored roles played by prostaglandins and leukotrienes in this process. 5 micrograms/kg BW of E. coli endotoxin induced transient rise in pulmonary arterial pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR). 30 min after injection of endotoxin when PVR tended to decline, pulmonary vasoconstriction response to alveolar hypoxia was lost, and the ratio of TXB2 to 6-keto-PGF1 alpha decreased significantly. HPV was enhanced at 60-100 min and then returned to the control level at 2 h after injection of endotoxin. At these periods the ratio of TXB2 to 6-keto-PGF1 alpha was the same as before use of endotoxin, whereas plasma concentration of leukotrienes was markedly increased. Indomethacin could prevent the early loss of HPV, but no effect on the late increment of HPV was found. Diethylcarbamazine, which blocked the production of leukotrienes after use of endotoxin, could inhibit late increment of HPV. We concluded that the early loss of HPV was related to the vasodilator prostacyclin, and the late increment of HPV was mainly brought about by leukotrienes.