Figure 3.
Inhibition of ductus arteriosus prostaglandin synthesis. Freshly isolated term gestation ductus explants were incubated in the presence of drug or the appropriate vehicle. Prostaglandin synthetic activity was measured by the formation of 6-keto PGF1α, the stable metabolite of prostacyclin (PGI2) (a), or PGE2 (b) after exposure to exogenous 2 μmol/l arachidonic acid for 40 min. Vessels treated with paracetamol (Para) had insignificant reduction in prostaglandin synthesis compared to vehicle (water). Indomethacin-treated vessels (Indo) produced significantly less PGI2 and PGE2 compared to controls (ethanol). *P < 0.01.