Effects of prostaglandin synthetase inhibitors, salt overload and renomedullary dissection on the hypoxia stimulated erythropoietin production in rats.
The effect of prostaglandin synthetase inhibitors, aspirin and indomethacin, salt overload and salt depletion, as well as renomedullary dissection on serum Ep level in rats exposed to acute hypoxia was studied. Male rats were given aspirin or saline for seven days prior to the exposure to hypoxia. Other group of animals was fed salt free diet for the same period of time. Indomethacin was given on two consecutive days and renomedullary dissection was performed three weeks before exposure to hypoxia. Ep level was indirectly determined by measuring the 48 h 59Fe incorporation into RBC of mice with posthypoxic polycythemia. Hypoxia induced Ep production was diminished after blocking the PG synthesis using PG synthesis inhibitors. Salt overload, procedure known to decrease PG synthesis, had the same effect. Further on, dissection of the renal medulla, the main source of renal PG, decreased Ep production. The results indicate that PG are part of the mechanism which controls Ep production.