Prostaglandin synthesis in isolated rat kidney glomeruli.

Isolated rat kidney glomeruli converted octatritiated arachidonic acid to several prostaglandins whose production was inhibited by meclofenamate. These were, in order of decreasing abundance, prostaglandin F2 alpha, prostaglandin E2, 6-oxo-prostaglandin F1 alpha, thromboxane B2, and prostaglandin D2. These products were identified by thin-layer chromatography, before and after treatment with potassium hydroxide or sodium borohydride. Prostaglandins F2 alpha and E2 were also determined by radioimmunoassay. The major product made by glomeruli was an unidentified substance(s), whose appearance was partially inhibited by meclofenamate, and was likely to be a hydroxylated fatty acid(s). The specific activity of glomerular fatty acid cyclo-oxygenase (EC 1.14.99.1), based on radioimmunoassay for prostaglandins E2 and F2 alpha, was 10- to 40-fold higher than that of cortical tubular enzyme. These data demonstrate that glomeruli have the capability of synthesizing an array of end-products from arachidonic acid. These prostaglandins may exert important physiologic effects, because renin secretion and arteriolar resistance are regulated by the glomerulus and the afferent and efferent arterioles.