[Synthesis and distribution of endothelin in rats with pulmonary hypertension induced by chronic hypoxia].
OBJECTIVE
To study the synthesis and distribution of endothelin (ET) in the rat model of pulmonary hypertension (PH).


METHODS
By chronic hypobaric hypoxia (10%-10.5% O2, 4-18 d), a stable rat model of PH was established. The plasma ET level in the rat was measured by radioimmunoassay and the ET-like immunoreactivity in the rat's lung tissue was observed morphologically by immunohistochemical staining.


RESULTS
The concentrations of plasma ET were significantly higher in the hypoxic rat model than in control animals (P < 0.01), but there were no significant differences in different time groups of the hypoxic rats (P > 0.05). ET's synthesis was mostly localized within pulmonary vascular vessels sharply contrasted with normal rats in which there were little or no ET staining.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggested that hypoxia might be the main reason for promoting ET's synthesis and release.
Wang
B
B
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University Shanghai.
Luo
W
W
Chen
L
L
D000818:Animals; D016232:Endothelins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000378:metabolism*; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000150:complications; D008168:Lung / Q000378:metabolism*; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
D016232:Endothelins