Radioimmunoassay of Prostaglandin A

A highly specific, sensitive (25 pg) radioimmunoassay for prostaglandin A is described; the assay is characterized by high reproducibility (coefficient of variation 1-2%) and low cross-reactivity with respect to PGE 1 and PGE 2 (10%), PGB 2 (15%), and PGF 2α (0.01%). High specificity for PGA was obtained by chromatographic separation of the prostaglandins. Since it has been suggested that PGA is a natriuretic "hormone," the concentration of PGA in the renal cortex, outer medulla, and papilla was determined in rabbits on low-sodium and high-sodium diets in the presence and the absence of the prostaglandin synthetase inhibitor indomethacin. In rabbits on the low-sodium diet (12 mEq/24 hours). PGA2 was 15 ± 4 pg/mg in the cortex, 502 ± 67 pg/mg in the outer medulla, and 3740 ± 640 pg/mg in the papilla. In rabbits on saline loading (56 mEq/24 hours), cortical and outer medullary PGA2 rose to 32 ± 6 pg/mg and 1275 ± 290 pg/mg, respectively, but papillary PGA decreased to 1842 ± 480 pg/mg. PGA concentration in the outer medulla and papilla was markedly inhibited by indomethacin (50 mg/day), and this inhibition was associated with sodium retention. The results indicated that sodium induced papillary synthesis of PGA and intrarenal circulation of the prostaglandin to the outer medulla and the cortex possibly via the long veins of the outer medulla occurred. The results are compatible with PGA 2 involvement in salineinduced natriuresis.