Prostaglandin metabolism in the kidneys of spontaneously hypertensive rats

Renal prostaglandins have been implicated in the regulation of blood pressure. We have therefore compared prostaglandin metabolism in the kidneys of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR's) of the Aoki-Okamoto strain and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) controls. The microsomal fraction of the renal medulla contained most of the prostaglandin synthetase activity in both groups; SHR's had significantly higher enzymatic activity than their normotensive controls at age 10 wk and thereafter; furthermore, synthetase activity in SHR's increased with age. Two forms of 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenases were demonstrated: an NAD+-dependent form which was localized mainly in the cortex and an NADP+-dependent form, higher in the medulla. The activities of these enzymes were lower in the hypertensive animals at all ages studied; this depression was more pronounced for the NAD+-dependent dehydrogenase. The results indicate that, in hypertension, renal prostaglandin metabolism is altered so that enhanced synthesis is accompanied by decreased degradation rate.