The cellular origin and kinetics of TXB2 and 6-keto PGF1 alpha in carrageenan-induced pleurisy has been studied. Maximum levels of these prostanoids occurred 1 hour after induction of pleurisy. Mononuclear cells initially present in the pleural cavity synthesized TXB2 and 6-keto PGF1 alpha from (14C) arachidonic acid. By contrast, PMN cells harvested 6 hours after the induction of inflammation did not produce 6-keto-PGF1 alpha. Selective inhibition of thromboxane synthetase with drugs in vitro and in vivo increased the formation of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, the stable breakdown product of PGI2. This metabolic effect was parallel to an increase in the volume of exudate and in PMN migration. These results suggest that TXA2 seems to be implicated not only as a chemotactic agent but also as an antagonist of PGI2 vasodilator effects.