The ability of vascular tissue to produce prostacyclin decreases with age.

The ability of aortae from young and mature swine to produce prostacyclin (PGI2) has been determined. PGI2 was measured as its hydration product, 6-keto-PGF1 alpha and assayed by stable isotope dilution GCMS. There was no significant difference in 6-keto-PGF1 alpha production between intimal strips from young and mature aortae in the basal state. In the presence of saturating concentrations of arachidonic acid, however, intimal strips from young aortae synthesized twice as much 6-keto-PFG1 alpha as did older tissues. Fatty acid compositions of young and mature aortae were virtually identical, making dietary difference an unlikely explanation for the age-related decrease in PGI2 synthesis. Both young and mature vascular tissues produced essentially only PGI2; insignificant amounts of PGE2 and PGF2 alpha were found.