Document Detail


Endothelin 1 does not play a major role in the homeostasis of arterial pressure in cirrhotic rats with ascites.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  7768391     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Patients with cirrhosis and ascites have increased plasma levels of endothelin, a powerful vasoconstrictor peptide. This study assessed the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon. METHODS: Plasma endothelin was measured in control rats and cirrhotic rats with and without ascites. In addition, the tissue concentration of endothelin and endothelin 1 messenger RNA (mRNA) and the effect of an endothelin A receptor antagonist on arterial and portal pressure were assessed in cirrhotic rats with ascites and control rats. RESULTS: Plasma endothelin levels were significantly higher in cirrhotic rats with ascites (24.5 +/- 2.8 pg/mL; P < 0.001) than in cirrhotic rats without ascites and control rats (7.9 +/- 2.0 and 5.8 +/- 0.9 pg/mL, respectively). In animals with ascites, endothelin and endothelin 1 mRNA content in the lung, kidney, and aorta was similar to that of the controls. In contrast, higher endothelin content (0.567 +/- 0.217 vs. 0.045 +/- 0.002 pg/mg protein; P < 0.05) and endothelin 1 mRNA was observed in hepatic tissue of rats with cirrhosis and ascites. Endothelin A receptor blockade was not associated with significant changes in arterial and portal pressure in any group of animals. CONCLUSIONS: Increased endothelin 1 mRNA and endothelin production occurs in the livers of cirrhotic rats with ascites. In addition, our findings suggest that endothelin is not involved with the homeostasis of arterial or portal pressure in cirrhosis with ascites.
Authors:
A Leivas; W Jiménez; S Lamas; M Bosch-Marcé; J Oriola; J Clària; V Arroyo; F Rivera; J Rodés
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Gastroenterology     Volume:  108     ISSN:  0016-5085     ISO Abbreviation:  Gastroenterology     Publication Date:  1995 Jun 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  1995-06-30     Completed Date:  1995-06-30     Revised Date:  2006-11-15    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0374630     Medline TA:  Gastroenterology     Country:  UNITED STATES    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  1842-8     Citation Subset:  AIM; IM    
Affiliation:
Hormonal Laboratory, Hospital Clínic i Provincial, University of Barcelona, Spain.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Animals
Ascites / physiopathology
Base Sequence
Blood Pressure* / drug effects
Endothelins / analysis,  genetics,  physiology*
Homeostasis*
Liver / metabolism
Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental / physiopathology*
Male
Molecular Sequence Data
Peptides, Cyclic / pharmacology
RNA, Messenger / analysis
Rats
Rats, Wistar
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Endothelins; 0/Peptides, Cyclic; 0/RNA, Messenger; 136553-81-6/cyclo(Trp-Asp-Pro-Val-Leu)

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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