Prostacyclin released from blood vessels of whole body irradiated rats

Rats were irradiated with a dose of 7.0 Gy. 2 days, 2,3 and 6 weeks later the animals were bled to death and their main aorta and vein specimens were removed. They were used for estimation of prostacyclin release by determining the extent of inhibition of blood platelet aggregation. In comparison with non irradiated control specimens of aortae and veins from irradiated rats showed a decreased ability to release prostacyclin with the exception of veins isolated 2 days after exposure, where an increased release was observed. 17 refs., 4 figs. (author)