title: Endothelin: an important factor in acute renal failure?
abstract: Very low concentrations of the vasoconstrictor peptide endothelin cause intense long-lasting renal vasoconstriction. In the isolated perfused rat kidney, the concentration of endothelin required to reduce blood-flow by 50% is 200 pmol/l, compared with 1000 pmol/l angiotensin II (previously the most potent known vasoconstrictor). Whereas angiotensin II has little effect on the glomerular filtration rate (GFR), a rise in endothelin from 100 to 800 pmol/l reduces GFR by 90%. Endothelin is probably present in the circulation at low concentrations in vivo; events associated clinically with acute renal failure would tend to increase this concentration. Endothelin may be a mediator in the pathogenesis of acute renal failure.
mesh_terms: D058186:Acute Kidney Injury / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000241:Adenosine / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D016232:Endothelins; D005919:Glomerular Filtration Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D007668:Kidney / Q000098:blood supply; D010455:Peptides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D012079:Renal Circulation / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D016232:Endothelins; D010455:Peptides; D000241:Adenosine