Formation and action of prostacyclin in the isolated human umbilical artery.
The transformation of [1-14C]arachidonic acid by homogenates of human umbilical arteries was studied. The major compound formed was the stable end product of PGI2, i.e. 6-keto-PGF1 alpha (lactol form) as analyzed by gas-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. PGI2 was generated by incubating PGH2 with a lyophilized pig aorta microsome preparation. PGI2 concentrations around 10 ng/ml relaxed the human umbilical artery preparation significantly. Formation of PGI2 by umbilical arteries during pregnancy might be a mechanism for regulation of blood flow to the fetus.
D000818:Animals; D001011:Aorta / Q000378:metabolism; D001095:Arachidonic Acids / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D011464:Epoprostenol / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008861:Microsomes / Q000378:metabolism; D009126:Muscle Relaxation / Q000187:drug effects; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D011453:Prostaglandins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D011463:Prostaglandins H / Q000494:pharmacology; D013552:Swine; D014469:Umbilical Arteries / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*
D001095:Arachidonic Acids; D011453:Prostaglandins; D011463:Prostaglandins H; D011464:Epoprostenol