SUPPRESSION OF LYMPHATIC VESSEL CONTRACTILITY WITH INHIBITORS OF ARACHIDONIC-ACID METABOLISM

  • 1 January 1983
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 226  (2) , 603-607
Abstract
Contractions of lymphatic vessels play an important role in regulating lymph flow; however, little is known of the pharmacological properties of these vessels and the mechanisms regulating the contractions. Earlier work suggested that arachidonic acid metabolites may play some role in the contractile process, and this report assessed the effects of various inhibitors of arachidonate metabolism on the contractions of bovine mesenteric lymphatic rings suspended in tissue baths. Aspirin and indomethacin (cyclooxygenase inhibitors). BW 755C [3-amino-1-[m-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-2-pyrazoline] (a cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase inhibitor) and FPL 55712 [7-[3-(4-acetyl-3-hydroxy-2-propylphenoxyl-2-hydroxypropoxy]-4-oxo-8-propyl-4H-1-benzopyran-2-carboxylic acid monosodium salt] (a slow reacting substance of anaphylaxis-leukotriene-antagonist) suppressed the phasic contractions of spontaneously active vessels. The addition of arachidonate to noncontracting vessels elicited phasic and tonic contractile activities which were similarly blocked with these drugs, as were the contractions elicited with several agonists. Lymphatic vessel contractions are apparently extremely susceptible to suppression with inhibitors of arachidonate metabolism implying that these drugs may alter extravascular fluid dynamics by a direct effect on the lymphatic vessel. The intrinsic contractile regulatory mechanism may involve the production of arachidonate products within the vessel.

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