Vasoactive Actions of Prostaglandins and Serotonin on Isolated Human Umbilical Arteries and Veins

Abstract

Cumulative responses to prostaglandins E1 (PGE1), E2 (PGE2), F1α(PGF1α), and F2α (PGF2α) were obtained on isolated human umbilical arteries and veins. All four prostaglandins produced contractions. PGF2α was the most active prostaglandin on umbilical arteries, while PGE2 and PGF2α were equiactive and more potent than PGE1 or PGF1α on umbilical veins. 5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) was at least 100 times more potent than the prostaglandins. SC-19220, a prostaglandin antagonist, in a high concentration was found to moderately antagonize the vasoactive effect of PGE2 and to slightly antagonize contractions to 5-HT. Also, propylene glycol, the solvent for SC-19220, was observed to antagonize contractions to both PGE2 and 5-HT, thereby indicating that solvent controls are necessary when evaluating compounds such as SC-19220.