Characterization of furosemide-induced activation of the renal prostaglandin system

A detailed time course of changes in plasma renin activity (PRA), urinary prostaglandin (PG) E 2, PGF 2α, thromboxane (TX) B 2 and sodium excretion rates following furosemide was obtained in 7 women. PRA increased within the first 15 min and remained elevated all through the experiment. PGE 2, PGF 2α, TXB 2 and sodium increased simultaneously, reached a peak between 15 and 45 min after furosemide and declined thereafter. It is concluded that furosemide induces a generalized activation of the renal PG system temporally related to the increase of renin release and natriuresis.