Endothelin: an endothelium-derived vasoactive peptide and its possible role in the pathogenesis of cerebral vasospasm.
The contractile response to endothelin has been examined in cerebral arteries from rats subjected to a prior subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) and compared with saline injected controls. Endothelin elicited strong concentration-dependent contraction of rat basilar artery segments. The response was slow in onset and long lasting. The endothelin-induced contraction was much stronger in the SAH compared to control animals. Our findings suggest a role of the peptide in the pathophysiology of cerebral vasospasm.
Alafaci
C
C
Clinica Neurochirurgica, Università degli Studi di Messina.
Salpietro
F M
FM
Iacopino
D G
DG
Edvinsson
L
L
Tomasello
F
F
D000818:Animals; D001488:Basilar Artery / Q000187:drug effects; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation / Q000187:drug effects; D016232:Endothelins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002546:Ischemic Attack, Transient / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000503:physiopathology; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D051381:Rats; D013345:Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / Q000503:physiopathology; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents / Q000494:pharmacology
D016232:Endothelins; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents