\E Role for Endothelin-1 in Angiotensin II– Mediated Hypertension

Abstract

Abstract Experiments in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells have shown that angiotensin II (Ang II) stimulates expression of endothelin-1. We sought to examine role of endothelin-1 in the effects of Ang II in vivo. Ang II infusion in rats (0.7 mg/kg per day for 5 days) was associated with marked increases in vascular smooth muscle endothelin-1 levels, as assessed by immunostaining. Administration of the selective endothelin type A (ET A) receptor antagonist PD 155080 (50 mg/kg per day) abrogated the hypertensive response to a 5-day infusion of Ang II (0.7 mg/kg per day), as did losartan (25 mg/kg per day). ET A receptor blockade during Ang II–mediated hypertension was associated with marked elevations of plasma endothelin-1 levels. Ang II–mediated hypertension was associated with heightened vascular responsiveness to a variety of vasoconstrictor agents except endothelin-1. Blockade of ET A receptor invariably corrected this vasoconstrictor hyperresponsiveness. We conclude that some of the vascular effects of Ang II thought to be unique to this hormone are likely mediated by endothelin-1.