Prostaglandins: effects on blood pressure, renal blood flow, sodium and water excretion

Abstract

The prostaglandins are naturally occurring unsaturated fatty acids which have been implicated in a variety of physiologic and pathophysiologic processes involving organ function. One of the most striking actions of prostaglandins of the E and A series is their capacity to dilate peripheral blood vessels and thereby to lower arterial pressure. This vasodilating effect of prostaglandins may be mediated by alterations in circulating blood levels of the hormone(s) or by changes in concentration of prostaglandins in blood vessel walls. Prostaglandins also have been implicated in the regulation of the renin angiotensin aldosterone system. In addition, a direct effect of prostaglandins in modulating both renal blood flow and renal tubular sodium reabsorption has been suggested. An effect of prostaglandins to inhibit the action of vasopressin to increase water permeability in the mammalian collecting duct also has been proposed. In the present editorial the authors briefly survey the evidence for and against the proposed actions of prostaglandins in regulating blood pressure, renal blood flow and renal sodium and water excretion.