We studied the effects of plasma high density and low density lipoproteins upon the synthesis of prostacyclin and prostaglandin E2 by vascular smooth muscle cells. Prostaglandin synthesis was measured in 24-hour cultures by radioimmunoassay of the stable metabolites of prostacyclin, 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha and of prostaglandin E2. High density lipoproteins induced dose-dependent increases in the release of 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha and of prostaglandin E2 from smooth muscle cells to values 14- and 50-fold above control. Incubations with low density lipoproteins at comparable cholesterol concentrations also induced dose-dependent release of 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha and prostaglandin E2, but to a lesser extent. Rat high density lipoprotein, which contained 2.5 times more cholesteryl arachidonate than human high density lipoproteins, stimulated 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha and prostaglandin E2 release 2- to 3-fold more than human high density lipoproteins, whereas the delipidated apoproteins of high density lipoproteins had no significant effect on prostaglandin synthesis. Recombinant high density lipoproteins containing cholesteryl-[1- 14C]arachidonate stimulated release of [14C]-6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha and [14C]prostaglandin E2 by smooth muscle cells. The ionophore, A 23187, released labeled 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha and prostaglandin E2 from cells preincubated with recombinant high density lipoprotein containing cholesteryl-[1- 14C]arachidonate. Unlabeled high density lipoproteins, in contrast, did not cause release of radioactive prostaglandins from cells preincubated with [1- 14C]arachidonate. Phospholipase activators were synergistic (bradykinin) or additive (angiotensin II) with high density lipoprotein in stimulation of prostaglandin synthesis. The data indicate that both high and low density lipoproteins stimulate the synthesis of prostacyclin and prostaglandin E2 by vascular smooth muscle cells. The results suggest that the lipoproteins provide arachidonate to a phospholipase-sensitive pool accessible to cyclooxygenase.