Increased tissue endothelin immunoreactivity in atherosclerotic lesions associated with acute coronary syndromes.
Acute coronary syndromes are accompanied by exaggerated vasoconstriction. Since thrombin induces production of the potent vasoconstrictor endothelin-1, we used immunohistochemistry on coronary atherosclerotic specimens from 30 consecutive patients. Endothelin-1-like immunoreactivity was present in 5 of 9 (55%) lesions from patients with stable angina, in 6 of 7 (86%) from crescendo angina, and in all 14 from angina at rest. Endothelin-1 immunoreactivity was most common in areas with a positive Prussian-blue reaction indicative of previous intraplaque haemorrhage. Tissue endothelin-1-like immunoreactivity might contribute to the exaggerated coronary vasoconstriction.
Department of Internal Medicine III, University of Freiburg, Germany.
A M
AM
Zeiher
C
C
Ihling
K
K
Pistorius
V
V
Schächinger
H E
HE
Schaefer
D000208:Acute Disease; D000787:Angina Pectoris / Q000150:complications; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016232:Endothelins / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014661:Vasoconstriction / Q000502:physiology
D016232:Endothelins