E2-isoprostanes are recently discovered compounds that are produced in vivo from free radical-catalysed peroxidation of arachidonic acid. One such compound whose formation is favoured by this mechanism is isoprostaglandin E2 type III (iPE2-III, also named 8-iso-prostaglandin E2 or 15-E2t-isoprostaglandin). The aim of this study was to evaluate the vasomotor properties of iPE2-III in isolated human internal mammary artery. In organ bath, iPE2-III was approximately 10 times more potent than isoprostaglandin F2alpha-III and 27 times more potent than prostaglandin E2, whereas both isoprostaglandin F3alpha-III and 15-epi-isoprostaglandin F2alpha-II induced weak contractions. The responses to iPE2-III were inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner by the thromboxane A2 receptor antagonist GR 32191 (3.10(-9) to 3.10(-7) M). Indomethacin, a cyclooxygenase inhibitor and phosphoramidon, an endothelin converting enzyme inhibitor, did not affect iPE2-III response. These data shows that iPE2-III is a more potent vasoconstrictor of human internal mammary arteries than isoprostaglandin F2alpha-III. These effects are mediated by TP receptors, but involve neither cyclooxygenase products nor endothelins. iPE2-III production may induce more pronounced vasomotor effects than isoprostaglandin F2alpha-III in situations of oxidative stress, and in particular may modulate internal mammary artery tone following coronary bypass surgery.