title: Mechanisms of endothelin-induced venoconstriction in isolated guinea pig mesentery.
abstract: In the present study, endothelin (ET) agonists and receptor selective antagonists were used to characterize ET receptors mediating constriction in guinea pig mesenteric veins (250-300 micrometers diameter) in vitro. The contribution of ET-evoked vasodilator release to venous tone was also explored. Computer-assisted video microscopy was used to monitor vein diameter. Endothelin-1 (ET-1), endothelin-3 (ET-3), and sarafotoxin 6c (S6c) produced sustained concentration-dependent contractions with a rank order agonist potency of ET-1 = S6c > ET-3. Indomethacin (1 microM) and Nomega-nitro-L-arginine (100 microM) enhanced ET-1 and S6c responses. The ETA selective antagonists BQ-610 (100 nM) and PD156707 (10 nM) shifted ET-1 concentration-response curves rightward and decreased maximal ET-1 responses, without changing S6c responses. The ETB selective antagonist BQ-788 (100 nM) shifted S6c responses rightward but produced no change in ET-1 responses. Combined application of BQ-788 and BQ-610 or BQ-788 and PD 156707 produced a rightward shift in ET-1 responses that was greater than shifts produced by BQ-610 or PD 156707 alone. In conclusion, smooth muscle in guinea pig mesenteric veins expresses ETA and ETB receptors coupled to contractile mechanisms. Activation of endothelial ETB receptors results in release of vasodilators, primarily nitric oxide.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA. johns741@pilot.msu.edu
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: G D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Fink
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Galligan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D065128:Endothelin Receptor Antagonists; D019332:Endothelin-1 / Q000494:pharmacology; D019333:Endothelin-2 / Q000494:pharmacology; D019334:Endothelin-3 / Q000494:pharmacology; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007213:Indomethacin / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D018715:Microscopy, Video; D009129:Muscle Tonus / Q000187:drug effects; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D019335:Nitroarginine / Q000494:pharmacology; D017466:Receptors, Endothelin / Q000502:physiology*; D013152:Splanchnic Circulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D014661:Vasoconstriction / Q000187:drug effects*; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D014680:Veins; D014757:Viper Venoms / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D065128:Endothelin Receptor Antagonists; D019332:Endothelin-1; D019333:Endothelin-2; D019334:Endothelin-3; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D017466:Receptors, Endothelin; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents; D014757:Viper Venoms; C057354:sarafotoxins s6; D019335:Nitroarginine; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D007213:Indomethacin