ADRENALINE INFUSION INCREASES SYSTEMIC PROSTACYCLIN PRODUCTION IN MAN

We have previously shown that adrenaline infusion induces an almost tw ofold increase in systemic thromboxane synthesis, measured as urinary 11-dehydrothromboxane B-2. The purpose of the present study was to inv estigate whether high levels of adrenaline, found e.g. in heavy physic al exercise and myocardial infarction are involved in the regulation o f prostacyclin synthesis. To this end the effect of adrenaline infusio n (0.1 mu g/kg/min for 45 min and thereafter 0.2 mu g/kg/ min for 15 m in) on prostacyclin synthesis in healthy male volunteers was investiga ted. Adrenaline infusion produced an over twofold increase in systemic prostacyclin synthesis, measured as urinary 2,3-dinor-6-keto-prostagl andin F-1 alpha. Our study demonstrates that high circulating levels o f adrenaline are associated with increased formation of prostacyclin.