Previous investigations have shown that brain prostaglandin levels are transiently elevated following experimental fluid percussion brain injury. Associated with these increased prostaglandin levels there is free radical production and abnormalities in cerebral arteriolar function. The purpose of this study was to determine whether experimental fluid percussion brain injury in cats is associated with increased systemic levels of prostaglandins and the lipoxygenase product, 12-HETE. Blood samples were collected before and at various periods of time after 2.7 atm of fluid percussion brain injury was produced in adult cats. Prostaglandin and 12-HETE analysis was performed by radioimmunoassay after extraction of the plasma samples. The control levels for 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, PGE2, and 12-HETE were 477 +/- 42, 2,372 +/- 431, and 13,328 +/- 1,769 pg/ml, respectively. Following injury all three eicosanoids reached peak plasma levels by 1-5 min after injury. The percentile increases for all eicosanoids were similar and increased from 70 to 110%. The increases were sustained at up to 30 min postinjury and by 1 h after injury were at control levels. As in previous studies, hypertension following injury was maximal by 1 min postinjury and blood pressure had returned to near normal levels by 5 min postinjury. These studies demonstrate prolonged systemic increases in eicosanoids following injury. Since free radical production and vascular damage occur concomitantly with eicosanoid production, the prolonged increases in these products suggest that there is an attainable therapeutic window following injury during which administration of free radical scavengers may decrease radical damage and reduce the consequences of injury.