The role of endogenous angiotensin II and prostaglandins (PGs) in the antihypertensive effect of converting enzyme inhibitor, captopril, was studied in essential hypertension by the separate and the combined administration of captopril and indomethacin. Although plasma angiotensin II was similarly suppressed by the separate and the combined administration of captopril and indomethacin, captopril lowered and indomethacin increased the mean blood pressure. There were negative correlations between the changes in mean blood pressure and in urinary sodium excretion as well as in urinary PGE excretion. These results suggest that endogenous PGs may be implicated in the antihypertensive effect of captopril through the alteration of sodium balance.