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  • Title: Cardiovascular effects of intrathecally administered endothelins and big endothelin-1 in conscious rats: receptor characterization and mechanism of action.
    Author: Poulat P, D'Orléans-Juste P, de Champlain J, Yano M, Couture R.
    Journal: Brain Res; 1994 Jun 20; 648(2):239-48. PubMed ID: 7522926.
    Abstract:
    In conscious rats, the intrathecal (i.t.) injection of endothelin-1 (ET-1; 65-650 pmol) and endothelin-3 (ET-3; 162-650 pmol) produced dose-dependent increases of mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) accompanied by either a tachycardia or a bradycardia. A number of animals died by a sudden respiratory arrest. ET-3 was less toxic and less potent than ET-1 on MAP and heart rate (HR) while BQ-3020, a selective ETB agonist, had no toxic effect and exhibited only a weak pressor effect on blood pressure. The prior i.t. injection of 65 nmol BQ-123, a selective ETA receptor antagonist, blocked both the cardiovascular and toxic effects of ET-1 but failed to modify the cardiovascular effect evoked by i.t. substance P (6.5 nmol) or to cause intrinsic cardiovascular and toxic effects. While the pressor response to ET-1 was significantly inhibited after i.v. injection of phentolamine, the bradycardia was blocked by pentolinium. The cardiovascular response to ET-1 was, however, unaffected in rats either sympathectomized with 6-hydroxydopamine or pretreated with capsaicin. Furthermore, big ET-1 (100 pmol) caused toxic effects and delayed cardiovascular changes which were prevented by the prior i.t. administration of either BQ-123 (65 nmol) or 100 nmol phosphoramidon, an endothelin-converting enzyme (ECE) inhibitor. These results suggest: (1) that the cardiovascular and toxic effects of i.t. endothelins are mediated by ETA receptors in the rat spinal cord; (2) that the pressor response and bradycardia are likely due to the activation of the sympatho-adrenal nervous system and to a vagal reflex mechanism, respectively; and (3) that a phosphoramidon-sensitive ECE converts big ET-1 to ET-1 in the rat spinal cord.
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