To investigate roles of prostaglandins in the regulation of cerebral blood flow, we compared effects of indomethacin, a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, on the cerebrovascular CO
2 responsiveness with those on the cerebrovascular dilatory action of diltiazem, a Ca
2+-channel blocker. Fifteen adult cats were used. The cerebral tissue oxygen tension, carbon dioxide tension, pH and blood pressure were measured continuously. Indomethacin (1mg/kg) was infused into the carotid artery. In 8 cats, 3min inhalation of 5% CO
2 in air was performed before and after the indomethacin infusion. In 7 cats, diltiazem (100μg/kg) was infused into the carotid artery for 3min before and after the indomethacin infusion. The cerebrovascular CO
2 responsiveness was significantly decreased (p<0.05) after the administration of indomethacin. On the other hand, the cerebrovascular dilatation induced by the Ca
2+-channel blocker was significantly increased (p<0.05) after the administration of indomethacin. It is concluded that the products of cyclooxygenase system are involved in the cerebrovascular responsiveness both to CO
2 and to Ca
2+-channel blocker, but action mechanisms of prostaglandins may be different, that is, prostaglandians may enhanced cerebrovascular responsiveness to CO
2 but diminish it to Ca
2+-channel blocker.
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