title: Endothelin: an endothelium-derived vasoactive peptide and its possible role in the pathogenesis of cerebral vasospasm.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Clinica Neurochirurgica, Università degli Studi di Messina.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Alafaci
authors.forename: F M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Salpietro
authors.forename: D G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Iacopino
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Edvinsson
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tomasello
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D016232:Endothelins; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents