The role of prostaglandins (PGs) in mediating the hemodynamic and natriuretic responses to increases in renal interstitial pressure (RIP) induced by altering renal venous pressure (RVP) from control (3.6 +/- 0.6) to 15 and 30 mmHg was examined before and after PG inhibition in pentobarbital sodium-anesthetized dogs. These elevations of RVP resulted in RIP increasing from control (6 +/- 1) to 11 +/- 1 and 23 +/- 2 mmHg, respectively, without altering mean arterial pressure (MAP), renal blood flow (RBF), and glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Sodium excretion increased only when RVP reached 30 mmHg. During the inhibition of PG synthesis, 15 mmHg RVP induced a 10% decrease in RBF, and 30 mmHg RVP induced a further 20% decrease in RBF and a 50% decrease in GFR. PG synthesis inhibition did not alter either the RIP or the sodium excretory response. In conclusion, the natriuresis associated with the RIP increases induced by increasing RVP appears to be independent of PG synthesis. PGs, however, appear to be important for the maintenance of RBF and GFR during increased RVP. These findings suggest that different mechanisms are involved in the hemodynamic and natriuretic responses to arterial vs. venous pressure changes.