1. The role of prostaglandins and angiotensin II in blood flow regulation was studied in conscious rabbits subjected to mild haemorrhage.
2. Haemorrhage caused a 13% fall in arterial pressure and a 21% fall in cardiac output, responses which were unchanged by sodium meclofenamate, an inhibitor of prostaglandin synthesis, or captopril, an inhibitor of the angiotensin converting enzyme.
3. Haemorrhage doubled plasma adrenaline and noradrenaline levels. Plasma renin activity trebled after haemorrhage and was further elevated by captopril.
4. Renal blood flow was maintained after haemorrhage alone. Meclofenamate given immediately after haemorrhage caused a 31% fall in renal blood flow. Captopril given immediately after haemorrhage caused renal vasodilation, but when given after meclofenamate augmented renal vasoconstriction.
5. Splenic vasoconstriction was seen after haemorrhage and meclofenamate, and subsequently was augmented by captopril.
6. Results suggest that prostaglandins variably modulate regional blood flow in conscious rabbits subjected to mild haemorrhage. Enhanced sympathc—adrenal activity increases reno-vascular and splenic dependence on vasodilator prostaglandins, but not that of coronary, cerebral, hepatic or adrenal circulations. Renal and splenic vasoconstriction seen with meclofenamate are not due to circulating angiotensin II.
