Differential effects of prostaglandins on mesenteric and cerebral arteries isolated from premature newborn baboons.

Responses to prostaglandins (PGs) E1, E2, F2 alpha and I2 at a wide range of concentrations were compared in the cerebral and mesenteric arteries isolated from premature newborn baboons. PGE1 at low concentrations relaxed the cerebral artery but not the mesenteric artery. PGI2 produced a relaxation of similar magnitude in both arteries. PGF2 alpha in high concentrations produced a much greater contraction in the mesenteric artery than in the cerebral artery. Thus, during the perinatal stage, the baboon cerebral artery has distinctive PG-reactivity compared to the extracerebral artery. Clinical use of PGE1 or indomethacin may result in circulatory derangement or redistribution of blood flow in the cerebral and mesenteric circulations, and may produce side effects of these drugs.