Hypotensive and Other Cardiovascular Effects of Arachidonic Acid in Rabbits

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Abstract
I.v. administration of arachidonic acid lowered systemic arterial pressure in conscious and anesthetized rabbits. This hypotensive response did not show tachyphylaxis and was blocked by aspirin. The hypotension on i.v. administration was due to a decrease in cardiac output and a decrease in systemic vascular resistance. The decrease in cardiac output was accompanied by a severe pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular failure. Upon i.a. [intraarterial] arachidonic acid administration, the hypotension was due to a decrease in systemic vascular resistance. Arachidonic acid is apparently transformed predominantly into a vasoconstrictor metabolite [possibly prostaglandins E2, D2, F2.alpha., thromboxane A2 or prostacyclin] in the pulmonary vascular bed and vasodilator metabolite in the systemic vascular bed. The nature of the metabolite remains to be established.