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Stimulation of prostacyclin synthesis in rats by phenobarbital treatment

Conference · · Fed. Proc., Fed. Am. Soc. Exp. Biol.; (United States)
OSTI ID:5018034

Prostacyclin (PGI/sub 2/), synthesized in the endothelial cells of arteries, is known to inhibit the aggregation of platelets and hence thrombosis in blood. Low levels of PGI/sub 2/ have been observed in coronary heart disease which is associated with low levels of HDL in blood. Recently, it has been shown that synthesis of PGI/sub 2/ in vitro, is stimulated by HDL. Hence it seems likely that higher level of HDL in blood would increase the level of PGI/sub 2/ in blood. Since phenobarbital treatment is known to increase blood HDL levels in humans and animals, this study was undertaken to determine the effect of phenobarbital treatment on the synthesis of PGI/sub 2/. Coronary vascular microsomes were prepared from Sprague Dawley rats treated with phenobarbital for two days. The PGI/sub 2/ synthesizing activity was assayed by incubating these microsomes with 1-/sup 14/C-arachidonic acid and by determining the /sup 14/C-activity recovered in 6-ketoprostaglandin F/sub 1..cap alpha../, the stable decomposition product of PGI/sub 2/. Phenobarbital treatment increased the synthesis of PGI/sub 2/ nearly 2-fold. Addition of phenobarbital did not increase PGI/sub 2/ synthesis in control microsomes; however, the synthesis was increased by HDL. Thus, it appears that the observed increase in PGI/sub 2/ synthesis resulting from phenobarbital treatment was partly, if not totally, due to the increase in blood HDL level.

Research Organization:
Kent State Univ., OH
OSTI ID:
5018034
Report Number(s):
CONF-8606151-
Journal Information:
Fed. Proc., Fed. Am. Soc. Exp. Biol.; (United States), Journal Name: Fed. Proc., Fed. Am. Soc. Exp. Biol.; (United States) Vol. 45:6; ISSN FEPRA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English