Effects of indomethacin on renal inner medullary plasma flow

Abstract

The effects of the prostaglandin system on renal hemodynamics were studied by treating rats with a single intraperitoneal dose of indomethacin, an inhibitor of prostaglandin synthesis. Medullary plasma flow was significantly reduced 30–45 minutes after indomethacin, but was elevated 3–6 hours after indomethacin. These changes in medullary plasma flow correlated well with circulating levels of prostaglandins A and E. Total renal blood flow decreased following indomethacin treatment, but returned to normal levels within an hour. These results indicate that the inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis following a single intraperitoneal dose of indomethacin is short-lived and is followed by a significant elevation in prostaglandin synthesis. It is likely that prostaglandin levels play an important role in the control of renal medullary plasma flow.