ABSTRACT: 1. Our study shows that the prostacyclin analogues AFP-07 and cicaprost are moderately potent agonists for prostanoid EP(4) receptors, in addition to being highly potent IP(1) receptor agonists. Both activities were demonstrated on piglet and rabbit saphenous veins, which are established EP(4) preparations. 2. On piglet saphenous vein, PGE(2) was 6.1, 24, 96, 138, 168 and 285 times respectively more potent than AFP-07, cicaprost, PGI(2), iloprost, carbacyclin and TEI-9063 in causing relaxation. Another prostacyclin analogue taprostene did not induce maximum relaxation (21 - 74%), and did not oppose the action of PGE(2). The EP(4) receptor antagonist AH 23848 (30 microM) blocked relaxant responses to PGE(2) (dose ratio=8.6+/-1.3, s.e.mean) to a greater extent than cicaprost (4.9+/-0.7) and AFP-07 (3.8+/-0.8), had variable effects on TEI-9063-induced relaxation (3.7+/-1.5), and had no effect on taprostene responses (<2.0). 3. On rabbit saphenous vein, AH 23848 blocked the relaxant actions of PGE(2), AFP-07, cicaprost, iloprost and carbacyclin to similar extents. 4. AFP-07, cicaprost and TEI-9063 showed high IP(1) relaxant potency on piglet carotid artery, rabbit mesenteric artery and guinea-pig aorta, with AFP-07 confirmed as the most potent IP(1) agonist reported to date. AH 23848 did not block cicaprost-induced relaxation of piglet carotid artery. EP(3) contractile systems in these preparations can confound IP(1) agonist potency estimations. 5. Caution is urged when using AFP-07 and cicaprost to characterize IP(1) receptors in the presence of EP(4) receptors. Taprostene may be a lead to a highly selective IP(1) receptor agonist.
