Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

The effects of the vasoconstrictor peptide endothelin-1 were examined in the isolated heart during hypoxia, reoxygenation and reperfusion. Isovolumic rat hearts were perfused with Krebs-Henseleit buffer at constant pressure. Cumulative dose-response curves were obtained for endothelin-1 boluses of 0.04 to 400 pmol in five groups of hearts. Coronary flow declined with increasing dosages and was almost abolished at 400 pmol in control hearts. In hearts subjected to mild hypoxia (perfusate PO2 approximately 150 mmHg), the constrictor effect of endothelin-1 was attenuated at moderate dose compared to control hearts (4 vs. 16% flow reduction at 40 pmol; P less than 0.05). The constrictor effect was unaltered in hearts subjected to either 60 min of severe hypoxia (PO2 approximately 35 mmHg) followed by reoxygenation or to 10 min of total ischemia followed by reperfusion (stunning). When hearts were reperfused following 30 min of total ischemia (irreversible injury), the constrictor response to endothelin-1 was potentiated compared to control (e.g. 36 vs. 16% flow reduction at 40 pmol; P less than 0.05). We conclude that endothelin-1 is a potent coronary constrictor in hypoxic, reoxygenated and reperfused heart. The constrictor effect is attenuated during hypoxia, most likely due to the presence of counteracting vasodilator metabolites. During reperfusion, the constrictor effect is unchanged in stunned myocardium, but is augmented in irreversibly injured heart, due to either increased endothelin-1 binding sites or loss of counteracting vasodilator mechanisms such as prostaglandins and/or endothelium-derived relaxing factor.

Type

Journal article

Journal

J Mol Cell Cardiol

Publication Date

12/1991

Volume

23

Pages

1397 - 1409

Keywords

Animals, Coronary Disease, Endothelins, In Vitro Techniques, Male, Myocardial Reperfusion Injury, Myocardium, Oxygen, Rats, Rats, Inbred Strains