Central cardiovascular activity of prostaglandin E2, prostaglandin F2 alpha and prostacyclin.

Prostacyclin (PGI2), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) were tested here in unanesthetized male Sprague-Dawley rats for their effects on the cardiovascular system as mediated by the central nervous system. Cannulae were chronically implanted into the third cerebral ventricle, femoral arteries and femoral veins of rats. Both PGE2 and PGF2 alpha induced increased arterial blood pressure and tachycardia by an action on the central nervous system. The changes seen with PGE2 were larger than those observed with PGF2 alpha. Only transient depressor effects were seen with PGI2 and these changes appeared to be due to the leakage of the substance into the peripheral vascular system.