Prostacyclin formation around human abdominal aortic ostia.

Earlier studies have demonstrated an age dependent effect in the extent of sudanophilic and atherosclerotic lesions around aortic ostia in men. As prostacyclin may be a key determinant in the development of atherosclerosis we examined its formation around abdominal aortic ostia (coeliac, superior mesenteric and inferior mesenteric arteries) in-vitro. Prostacyclin formation was higher distal to the orifice as compared to proximal areas, but without reaching the level of significance. Prostacyclin formation was always higher in females than in males and in nonsmokers than in smokers, showing the greatest difference distal to the ostium, but again without significance. From the limited number of vessels examined, no trend for an age dependency can be noted. The relation between prostacyclin generation and morphological data is discussed.