The interaction of prostaglandin (PG) with the vascular renin-angiotensin (R-A) system was examined by studies on the effects of PGI2, PGE2 and the inhibitor of PG synthesis, indomethacin, on the release of angiotensin II (Ang II) from isolated rat mesenteric arteries. The Ang II released from the vasculature was measured after its concentration in a Sep-Pak C18 cartridge connected to the perfusion system. After perfusion with drugs, the specific vascular renin activity inhibited by anti-renin antibody was determined. The basal perfusion pressure was constant (19.6 +/- 1.1 mmHg) at a flow rate of 4.5 ml/min, and was not changed by any of these drugs. The basal levels of Ang II release and vascular renin activity were 44 +/- 5 pg/30 min and 113 +/- 8 pg Ang I/mg protein/hr, respectively. Infusion of PGI2 (10(-6) M) significantly decreased both Ang II release (p less than 0.01) and vascular renin activity (p less than 0.05) as compared with the control levels. Infusion of PGE2 (10(-6) M) decreased Ang II release significantly (p less than 0.05) and vascular renin activity slightly. Infusion of indomethacin (10(-6)M) increased vascular renin activity significantly (p less than 0.01). Pretreatment with indomethacin (10 mg/kg, ip) for 2 days also increased vascular renin activity (p less than 0.01). These results indicate that in contrast to their effects on the renal R-A system, PGs suppress the vascular R-A system and that these two local vasoactive factors interact to regulate vascular tone.