Decreased prostacyclin synthesis in vitamin E-deficient rabbit aorta

Abstract

Rabbit aorta predominantly synthesizes prostacyclin (PGI₂), a potent inhibitor of platelet aggregation and a strong vasodilator. We report here the effect of vitamin E depletion and repletion on endogenous release of PGI₂ by rabbit aorta. Serum pyruvate kinase was monitored for myopathy. The endogenous release of PGI₂ by the aorta, detected as its stable metabolite 6-keto-PGF_1α, was inhibited by indomethacin and was inversely related to the size of aorta sections. Deficient aorta synthesized significantly less PGI₂ than those from control animals. Repletion of deficient animals for 48 h completely restored the PGI₂ release to a level comparable to the control values. The data showed that PGI₂ synthesis by aorta can be influenced by dietary vitamin E.