In June, 1981, we conducted a two day international symposium in Rome devoted to original scientific presentations on arachidonic acid metabolism in the kidney. Scientists from 20 countries were represented either in the general scientific program or in the poster presentation. This book does not represent the proceedings of this international gathering, but rather the edited manuscripts specifically prepared as sum­ maries of the scientific presentations. We feel that the timeliness and originality of the contributions as well as the need for a compilation of existing work on prosta­ glandins, thromboxane, and the kidney warrant this publication. The meetings would have been impossible without the generous and substantial support of the Italian government, the National Institutes of Health, United States Public Health Service, and Merck Sharp & Dohme International. Supplementary support was also received from Ciba Geigy S. p. A. , Ente Fiuggi, Farmitalia Carlo Erba S. p. A. , Glaxo Laboratori S. p. A. , Hoechst Italia S. p. A. , Leo Pharmaceutical Products, Pfizer Italiana S. p. A. , Sigm? Tau S. p. A. , Squibb S. p. A. , The Upjohn Company, Wellcome Italia S. p. A. , and Burroughs Wellcome Company. The efficient organization of the symposium was largely attributable to the superb efforts of Elisabeth Mutschlechner and Miki Scarinci of C. K. International, Rome. Linda Goldberg provided expert and invaluable editorial and secretarial assistance in the organization of this book. The book is divided into four major sections comprising: I.

I. Prostaglandin Biochemistry and Assays.- 1. Biosynthesis and Metabolism of Prostaglandins in Human Kidney in Vitro.- 2. Regulation of Prostaglandin Biosynthesis in Cultured Renal Medullary Interstitial Cells.- 3. Cellular Compartmentalization of the Biosynthesis and Function of PGE2 and PGI2 in the Renal Medulla.- 4. Regional Differences in in Vitro Prostaglandin Synthesis by the Rat Kidney.- 5. Biosynthesis of Prostaglandins and Thromboxanes in the Dog Kidney.- 6. Distinct Acylhydrolase and PG Synthase Systems in the Perfused Rabbit Kidney: Selective Activation by Vasoactive Peptide Hormones and by Adenine Nucleotides.- 7. Perfusion-Dependent, Selective Induction of Prostaglandin Biosynthesis Activity in Rabbit Kidney Cortex.- 8. Investigations of Renal Arachidonic Acid Metabolites by Radioimmunoassay.- 9. Investigations on Renal Prostaglandins by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry.- II. Physiology and Pathophysiology.- 10. The Role of Arachidonic Acid Metabolism in the Modulation of Renal Blood Flow.- 11. Reversal of Vasoconstriction in the Isolated Perfused Rat Kidney by Picogram Amounts of PGE2.- 12. Studies of Prostaglandin Action on the Glomerular Microcirculation.- 13. Tubular Actions of Arachidonic Acid Metabolites: Effects of NaCl and Water Transport.- 14. The Effects of Vasopressin and Vasopressin Analogues upon Renal Synthesis of Prostaglandins.- 15. Renal Prostaglandins in Human Adaptation to Modifications of Sodium Balance.- 16. Cardiovascular Responses to 6-Keto-PGE1, a Potent Renin-Releasing Agent.- 17. Neural Control of Renin Secretion: Role of Prostaglandins.- 18. Factor Affecting Excretion of Renal Prostaglandins. A Study with Hypertonic Sodium and Glucose Infusions in Normal Female Subjects.- 19. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in Renal Papilla in NaClHypertension.- III. Pharmacology and Pathopharmacology.- 20. Diuretics and Kidney Prostaglandins.- 21. Does Prostaglandin Release Contribute to the Hypotension Induced by Inhibitors of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme?.- 22. The Mode of Action of Anti-inflammatory Steroids.- 23. Mechanism of Steroid-Induced Inhibition of Prostaglandin Production by Rat Renomedullary Cells in Culture.- 24. The Effect of Indomethacin on Renal Function and Glomerular Protein Loss.- 25. The Role of Arachidonic Acid Metabolites in the Functional Renal Impairment Associated with Liver Disease.- 26. Prostaglandins and Renal Function after Chronic Ligation of the Common Bile Duct in Dogs.- 27. The Influence of Indomethacin on Some Pharmacological Actions of Atenolol.- IV. Clinical Applications.- 28. The Mechanism and Site of the Enhanced Arachidonate Metabolism in Ureter Obstruction.- 29. Role of Thromboxanes in Renal Disease.- 30. Platelet and Vascular Prostaglandins in Uremia and Thrombotic Microangiopathy.- 31. Platelet Prostaglandin Production in the Nephrotic Syndrome.- 32. The Pathophysiologic and Therapeutic Role of Platelet and Vascular Arachidonic Acid Metabolites in Renal Failure.- 33. The Role of Arachidonic Acid Metabolites in the Pathophysiology of Bartter's Syndrome.- 34. Abnormal Platelet Aggregation in Patients with Bartter's Syndrome.- 35. A Possible Role of Arachidonic Acid Metabolites in Essential Hypertension.- 36. The Role of Renal Prostaglandin E in the Mechanism of the Exaggerated Fractional Na Excretion in Hypertensive Patients with Advanced Renal Disease.- 37. Platelet Deposition in Renal Transplant Rejection and Treatment with Prostacyclin Infusion.- 38. Factors Affecting Immunoreactive Thromboxane B2 in Kidney Transplant Patients.