This study examines the hypothesis that reduced splanchnic blood flow during intestinal reperfusion (IR) is associated with impaired release of the vasodilatory prostanoid PGI2. Sprague-Dawley rats underwent occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) for 120 min and reperfusion for up to 60 min. SMA blood flow was measured by transonic flow probe and radiolabeled microspheres (141Ce and 103Ru). Sham-operated animals served as controls (SHAM). Splanchnic eicosanoid release was quantitated by measuring thromboxane B2 (TxB2, stable metabolite of TxA2), 6-keto-PGF1a (6-keto, stable metabolite of PGI2), and PGE2 within the portal vein (PV) and inferior vena cava (IVC) of animals sustaining IR and SHAM. SMA flow in IR animals was < 10% of baseline and 27% of SHAM when measured by transonic flow probe (8 +/- 2% and 29 +/- 3%, IR and SHAM, respectively, P < 0.05). Similar results were obtained when intestinal blood flow was measured with microspheres (0.33 +/- 0.12 vs 1.34 +/- 0.13 ml/min/g, IR vs SHAM, P < 0.05). The greatest change in IR-induced splanchnic eicosanoid release occurred with 6-keto. Following ischemia, 6-keto levels in the PV were twice those of SHAM (P < 0.05). Five minutes after reperfusion, PV 6-keto levels were 22 times those of controls (P < 0.05) and 4 times greater than those of the IVC (P < 0.05). By 60 min of reperfusion, levels of 6-keto were reduced to those in the IVC. These data support the hypothesis that splanchnic blood flow is critically reduced by severe IR.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)