Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) induces more potent vasorelaxation in the resistance portion than in the conduit portion of mesenteric arteries in humans

Although physiological processes related to vascular function differ greatly between resistance arteries and conduit arteries, it is not known whether the effects of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), a vasodilator neuropeptide, on these arteries differ in humans. In the present study, the conduit portion and the resistance portion of isolated human mesenteric arteries were suspended in a Krebs-Ringer solution. CGRP produced vasorelaxations in both portions. The EC50 values were very low both in the resistance portion (2.4 x 10(-9) M, n = 7) and in the conduit portion (2.2 x 10(-9) M, n = 7). The maximum response to CGRP in the resistance portion was significantly greater than that in the conduit portion (94.6 +/- 4.0% vs. 64.1 +/- 2.6% relaxation of methoxamine-induced precontraction, both n = 7, p < 0.01). These data suggest that CGRP is one of the most potent endogenous vasodilators in both the resistance portion and the conduit portion of the human mesenteric arteries, and that CGRP induces more potent vasorelaxation in the resistance portion than in the conduit portion of these arteries.

An antigenic peptide inducing cross-reacting antibodies inhibiting the interaction of Streptococcus mutans PAc with human salivary components

A 190-kDa surface protein antigen (PAc) of Streptococcus mutans, in particular the A region of this molecule, may be implicated in the induction of dental caries via an interaction with salivary components. For this reason, it was probably used successfully as an antigenic component for experimental vaccination to prevent dental caries in animals. While developing a synthetic peptide vaccine for dental caries, as reported herein, we have identified a unique peptide, TYEAALKQYEADL, as a candidate vaccinal immunogen. The amino acid sequence of this peptide completely corresponds to the sequence of a B-cell epitope in the A region of PAc and additionally contains its own T-cell epitope for B10.D2 mice within the molecule. This peptide strongly induces the production of only cross-reacting antibodies against PAc. In addition, as demonstrated by surface plasmon resonance analysis using the BIAcore system, these cross-reacting antibodies inhibit approximately 50% of the binding of fluid-phase salivary components to immobilized recombinant PAc.

Pharmacological profile of (-)HT-90B, a novel 5-HT1A receptor agonist/5-HT2 receptor antagonist

1. HT-90B ((-)-N-([2-(8-methyl-l, 4-benzodioxane-2-ylmethyl)amino]ethyl) tricyclo[3,3,1,1(3.7)] decane-1-carboxamide) had high affinities for the 5-HT1A (Ki = 0.18 nM) and 5-HT2 (Ki = 9.2 nM) receptors. 2. HT-90B inhibited forskolin activated adenylate cyclase in rat hippocampal membranes as a 5-HT1A full agonist (IC50 = 2 nM), and the potency of the drug was higher than that of 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino) tetralin (8-OH-DPAT), a standard 5-HT1A agonist. 3. In the serotonin syndrome test, HT-90B behaved as a weak partial 5-HT1A agonist in reserpinized rats. 4. 5-HT2 receptor-mediated potentiation of rabbit platelet aggregation by serotonin (5-HT) was reduced by HT-90B (IC50 = 1.73 microM). 5. Head twitch response induced by 1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2-aminopropane (DOI), a 5-HT2 agonist, was inhibited by HT-90B in mice. 6. It is concluded that HT-90B has potent 5-HT1A receptor agonist as well as 5-HT2 receptor antagonist properties in vitro and in vivo.

Structure of the mouse basigin gene, a unique member of the immunoglobulin superfamily

Basigin is a membrane glycoprotein belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily. The mouse basigin gene was isolated from a genomic DNA library of the BALB/c mouse, and the structure of the gene and its flanking region (11.8 kb) was completely determined. The mouse basigin gene consists of seven exons and six introns spanning 7.5 kb. The distance between the first and second exons is 5.1 kb. The first immunoglobulin-like domain of the basigin molecule is encoded by the second and third exons, and the second immunoglobulin-like domain by the fourth and fifth exons. The fifth exon encodes not only the C proximal portion of the second immunoglobulin-like domain, but also the transmembrane domain and a small portion of the cytoplasmic domain. Thus, the organization of the basigin gene is unique. The 5' upstream sequence of the basigin gene contains no TATA box or CAAT box, but has a CpG-rich island. The BALB/c genomic sequence of all seven exons is consistent with the cDNA sequences of the 129/SV and Swiss mice except several minor substitutions in the 3'-terminal sequence of the 3'-noncoding region. No protein polymorphism has so far been found in basigin of different mouse strains.

[The effect of subconjunctival injection of endothelin-1 on intraocular pressure in the rabbit]

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a potent vasoconstrictive peptide produced in part by vascular endothelial cells. In order to investigate its effects on the episcleral vascular system and intraocular pressure (IOP), we injected ET-1 (3, 10, 30, 100, 300, 1,000 pmol) into the subconjunctival space of rabbits and measured IOP with a manometer. Injection of a dose higher than 10 pmol caused a transient increase of IOP. Mean maximum elevation rate of IOP for each dose of ET-1 was 14.9 +/- 0.9%, (mean +/- standard error) 43.5% +/- 9.5%, 40.8 +/- 7.5%, 46.9 +/- 9.8%, and 84.1 +/- 22.6. Next, we injected 1,000 pmol into the subconjunctival space, and continuously measured IOP and ocular pulse pressure with a manometer. IOP increased rapidly after ET-1 injection. Maximal increase of IOP was observed at 22.7 +/- 9.2 min after ET-1 injection, and IOP decreased after the peak. The ocular pulse pressure increased with IOP elevation and decreased with the IOP reduction. We speculated that the transient elevation of IOP was caused by increase of aqueous outflow resistance, and the decrease of IOP was caused by decrease of aqueous outflow resistance and decrease of blood flow in the ciliary body and the choroid. This strongly suggests that subconjunctival injection of ET-1 could have a large effect on the episcleral vascular system, aqueous outflow, and blood flow in the ciliary body and the choroid.

[Continuous subcutaneous injection therapy with interferon-alpha for renal cell carcinoma patients with bone metastasis]

Thirteen patients with renal cell carcinoma who had proven bony metastases were treated with multimodal treatment including surgery, radiotherapy and immunotherapy in the form of subcutaneous continuous injection of by natural type interferon-alpha (INF). The mode of administration of IFN was as follows: IFN, 2,5000 x 10(4) unit dissolved in 60 ml saline, was continuously injected (0.5 ml/hr) via a subcutaneous route as one course of the treatment and was given two courses in two weeks preoperatively. Postoperatively, IFN was given every week and the number of courses totally amounted to 15. In some cases IFN was given thereafter either every week or every other week. In four patients whose serum concentration of IFN was measured during and after administration of continuous IFN, the concentration of IFN rose after injection and showed 40.5 IU/ml in average 24 hours later. The concentration was kept measurable in six to eight days long and the maximum concentration was 167 IU/ml. In IFN-treated patients nine survived including two CRs, two NCs, five PDs and four deaths. The five year survival rate was 53%. Continuous subcutaneous injection of IFN in combination with surgery and/or radiotherapy is effective in the treatment of bony metastasis from renal cell carcinoma.

Computed tomographic appearance of closed-loop obstruction

The obstruction of a bowel segment at two points results in closed-loop obstruction, and is apt to cause strangulation. Thus, the early recognition of closed-loop small bowel obstruction might reduce the mortality rate. However, plain films are limited in their ability to diagnose it. Using previously described criteria, we retrospectively reviewed the CT images of six surgically confirmed cases of closed loop obstruction. In all patients, CT showed the characteristic configuration of closed loops, specific findings detected at the site of obstruction, or both. On the basis of our experience, CT is a useful, non invasive method for the investigation of patients with suspected closed-loop obstruction.

cDNA cloning and sequence analysis of a novel calcium binding protein with oligoproline motif

Using antibodies against pokeweed agglutinin-binding proteins from F9 embryonal carcinoma cells, we isolated a cDNA clone PW29 reacting with the antibody. mRNA hybridizing with the cDNA was 4.7 kb, and was strongly expressed in the testis, brain, kidney and heart as well as in F9 cells. The size of mRNA in the testis was heterogeneous. Sequencing the cDNA clone revealed a putative polypeptide of 70 kDa, which is rich in hydrophilic amino acids and has a characteristic sequence of (Glu(Lys))5. The protein also has an oligoproline motif, which conforms to the rule of binding capability to Src homology region III. The cDNA was translated as a fusion protein with glutathione-S-transferase, and was verified to have calcium binding activity, upon a calcium blot experiment.

The neuroprotective effect of a potent and selective inhibitor of type I NOS (L-MIN) in a rat model of focal cerebral ischaemia

Our newly synthesized delta-(S-methylisothioureido)-L-norvaline (L-MIN) was shown to have potent inhibitory effects on Ca(2+)-dependent and constitutively expressed neuronal nitric oxide synthase (type I NOS) when compared to other commonly recognized NOS inhibitors and produced an IC50 value of 5.7 nM. By contrast, this compound exhibited more than 40-fold weaker inhibitory effects on the other NOS isoforms. Administration of L-MIN (0.1, 0.3 and 1 mg kg-1, i.p.) to rats immediately after 2 h middle cerebral artery occlusion and 2 h reperfusion reduced infarct size in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that type I NOS activation has a crucial role in the pathogenic cellular mechanisms underlying cerebral ischaemia.

Increase in choroidal blood flow in rabbits with endothelin-1 induced transient complete obstruction of retinal vessels

BACKGROUND

In a previous paper, we reported that retinal blood flow (RBF) ceased immediately after injection of 1 nmol endothelin-1 (ET-1) and no recovery of RBF was detected for at least 50 min. In this study, we confirmed the same duration of RBF cessation and measured choroidal blood flow (CBF) for 180 min.

METHODS

We measured CBF in a rabbit model of transient complete obstruction of retinal vessels induced by intravitreal injection of a high dose of ET-1, using the hydrogen clearance method. We also investigated the effects of intravitreal injection of ET-1 on intraocular pressure (IOP), blood pressure, pulse rate and blood gases.

RESULTS

CBF was significantly greater in the ET-1-injected eyes than in the control eyes 40-130 min after injection of ET-1 (P < 0.05). The maximal CBF ratio in the ET-1-injected eyes was 128 +/- 7.4% at 40 min. CBF decreased to the pre-injection level at 140 min after the injection of ET-1. There was no significant change in blood pressure, pulse rate and blood gases throughout this experiment, and there was no significant difference in IOP between ET-1-injected eyes and control eyes.

CONCLUSION

It seems likely that the increase in CBF resulted from some local mechanisms of control that compensated for the decrease in RBF induced by intravitreal injection of ET-1. This model may be useful for investigation of the regulatory system of intraocular circulation, including endothelin receptors.

CBP-140, a novel endoplasmic reticulum resident Ca(2+)-binding protein with a carboxy-terminal NDEL sequence showed partial homology with 70-kDa heat shock protein (hsp70)

Antibodies against pokeweed agglutinin binding proteins isolated from F9 embryonal carcinoma cells were used to screen a lambda gt11 expression library constructed from the cells. A cDNA clone thus obtained encoded a novel calcium binding protein of 140 kDa (CBP-140). Antibodies raised against the CBP-140 fusion protein stained a 140 kDa band in extracts not only from F9 cells but also from various mouse organs. A calcium blot experiment using CBP-140 fusion protein verified the calcium binding property of the protein. In the partial amino acid sequence so far clarified (652 amino acid residues) we could not detect EF-hand, but could detect contiguous acidic amino acids, which may serve as a calcium-binding site. CBP-140 showed homology with 70-kDa heat shock protein, though it was not induced by heat shock treatment. Localization of CBP-140 in endoplasmic reticulum was shown by indirect immunofluorescence staining and also by subcellular fractionation. Amino acid sequence of CBP-140 contains a carboxyl-terminal Asn-Asp-Glu-Leu (NDEL) sequence, which resembles Lys-Asp-Glu-Leu (KDEL) sequence, a signal to retain the resident proteins in endoplasmic reticulum; NDEL sequence may indeed play a similar role.

Alteration of plasma endothelin-1 by exercise at intensities lower and higher than ventilatory threshold

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the release of endothelin-1 (ET-1), a potent vasoconstrictor peptide produced by vascular endothelial cells, is induced by exercise. Venous plasma concentrations of ET-1 were measured by sandwich-enzyme immunoassay before and after endurance exercise with a cycle ergometer at different intensities. Male intercollegiate athletes participated in the study and performed cycle ergometer exercise of 30 min duration at intensities of 90 or 130% of their individual ventilatory threshold (VT). The plasma concentration of ET-1 was slightly but significantly increased after exercise at 90% and markedly increased after exercise at 130% of individual VT. The increase in ET-1 was greatest 30 min after exercise at both intensities. It was first demonstrated that the plasma concentration of ET-1 was significantly increased after exercise: the greater the intensity, the greater the extent of the increase in plasma ET-1 concentration. However, the precise physiological roles of ET-1 during exercise remain to be elucidated.

[Surgical neoadjuvant chemo-hormonal therapy for advanced prostatic carcinoma]

To improve the therapeutic results as well as the patient's quality of life (QOL) in advanced prostatic carcinoma, total cystprostatectomy or pelvic exenteration was performed in combination with chemo-hormonal therapy before and after operation on twelve patients with stage D2 prostatic carcinoma who had infiltration in the periprostatic organs including urinary bladder and large intestine and showed strong bladder irritation, gross hematuria and ileus symptoms. Eight patients with severe cystic infiltration underwent total cystprostatectomy, urinary division and lymph node dissection, and four with ileus symptoms had pelvic exenteration, urinary division, proctostomy and lymph node dissection. As a rule of dosing schedule for chemo-hormonal therapy, 30-60mg/sq m of etoposide was continuously administered for 5 days before operation in addition to 250-500 mg of diethylbestrol diphosphate given for 30 days after operation. Furthermore, 2-3 courses of 30-60 mg/sq m of etoposide was administered for successive days, at 3-week intervals and then 30-60 mg/sq m of etoposide at 6-to-8-week intervals for 2 years together with 75-100 mg of chrolmadinone acetate as maintenance treatment. Nine of the 12 patients survived, including 4 patients with complete response, 3 patients with partial response and 2 patients with no change. These findings, suggested that the combination of surgical treatment and chemo-hormonal therapy is of use not only for providing an effective therapeutic means but also for improving the QOL in patients with advanced prostatic carcinoma.

The effect of Nicorandil on chronic cerebral vasospasm

The present study is aimed at examining the therapeutic effect of Nicorandil on chronic vasospasm using beagle dogs subjected to a "two-haemorrhage" insult, as well as its dilatory effect on the PDA [phorbol-12,13 diacetate]-induced contraction of the canine basilar artery. 1. A total of 12 animals of either sex, weighing 7 to 12 kg, were assigned into saline control and Nicorandil-treated groups. Immediately after the second induction of subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH), animals started to receive the agent via the venous route at the constant rate of 10 micrograms/kg/minute for six hours (day 3). On days 4, 5, and 6, the drug was given twice at the same rate for three hours. After the final angiograms, animals were sacrificed by exsanguination. 2. Using ring specimen of the canine basilar artery at a resting tension of 3 g, isometric tension was monitored to examine the effect of Nicorandil on PDA induced contraction. Nicorandil significantly ameliorated chronic vasospasm and inhibited PDA-induced contraction in a dose-dependent fashion. The present data indicate that Nicorandil provides a useful way of treating chronic vasospasm after SAH.

Endothelin receptor subtypes in human versus rabbit pulmonary arteries

We studied which endothelin (ET) receptor subtypes mediate ET-1-induced vasocontraction in the human pulmonary artery (PA) compared with the rabbit PA. ET-1 produced potent contraction in both human and rabbit isolated PAs. In human PA, ET-1-induced contraction was competitively antagonized by BQ-123 (an ETA receptor antagonist) with a pA2 value of 7.68. In rabbit PA, however, even a high concentration of BQ-123 (1 microM) did not affect the contraction. BQ-3020 (an ETB receptor agonist) produced potent contraction in rabbit PA but not in human PA. Binding assays of the membrane preparations showed that human and rabbit PAs contained ETA and ETB receptors in ratios of 93:7 and 23:77, respectively. These results suggest interspecies differences in the ET receptor subtypes that mediate ET-1-induced vasocontraction; ETA receptors are dominant in the human PA, whereas ETB receptors are dominant in the rabbit PA. Furthermore, the predominance of ETA receptors in human PA was supported by autoradiographical studies. If ET-1 acts as a physiological and/or pathophysiological vasocontractor in the human pulmonary circulation, an ETA receptor antagonist would function as a pulmonary vasodilator in humans.

Mechanisms of hypotension in iminoctadine poisoning: pharmacological analysis in rats

Iminoctadine, a fungicide used widely in fruit culture, causes hypotension in human acute oral poisoning. In an attempt to elucidate this mechanism, we investigated the effects of iminoctadine on the cardiovascular system of rats. In anesthetized rats, intravenously administered iminoctadine produced hypotension and tachycardia. In isolated right atria beating spontaneously in Krebs-Ringer's solution, iminoctadine produced an increase in heart rate. It also produced a positive inotropic response in electrically driven left atria. These responses were partially diminished by atenolol, a beta 1-adrenoceptor antagonist, and also partially diminished to a similar degree in atria of reserpinized rats. Therefore, the positive inotropic and chronotropic effects of iminoctadine were partially mediated via the release of norepinephrine from sympathetic nerve terminals. In aortic ring segments, iminoctadine caused a rightward shift of the concentration-contractile response curve for phenylephrine but did not affect those for prostaglandin F2 alpha or KCl. Iminoctadine produced a potent vasodilation in aortic segments precontracted with phenylephrine. Removal of the aortic endothelium produced a rightward shift of the concentration-response curve for iminoctadine. When the aortic ring preparations were precontracted with prostaglandin F2 alpha or KCl, iminoctadine produced only slight vasodilation. Therefore, the vasodilation caused by iminoctadine is due mostly to its alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonizing action, and partly to endothelium-dependent mechanisms our data suggest that the hypotension induced by iminoctadine is due to its vasodilator effects.

Possible involvement of endothelin-1 in cardiac hypertrophy

In an attempt to ascertain a possible involvement of endothelin-1 (ET-1) in the development of cardiac hypertrophy induced by hemodynamic overloads in vivo, the expression of prepro ET-1 mRNA in the cardiac tissue and the plasma level of ET-1 were determined in rats undergoing various treatments for inducing cardiac hypertrophy. One week after aortic banding (AB), the rat exhibited left ventricular hypertrophy characterized by ventricular wall thickening, i.e. concentric hypertrophy. In contrast, the aortic regurgitation (AR) produced left ventricular enlargement without wall thickening 1 week after the operation, i.e. eccentric hypertrophy. Monocrotaline treatment (s.c.) also caused marked hypertrophy in the right ventricle (concentric hypertrophy) 3 weeks later, which was accompanied by a severe pulmonary hypertension (MCT-PH). A Northern blot analysis revealed that AB and MCT-PH markedly increased the expression of prepro ET-1 mRNA in the left and right ventricles, respectively. The rats with MCT-PH but not with AB displayed a significant higher level in their plasma ET-1 levels compared with control animals. In contrast, the rats undergoing AR surgery exhibited no significant elevation in either prepro ET-1 mRNA in the heart or the plasma ET-1 concentration. The results of the present study suggest that ET-1 is involved at least in part in the development of concentric but probably not eccentric cardiac hypertrophy induced by hemodynamic overloads.

Quantitative EEG in patients with presenile and senile dementia of the Alzheimer type

EEG data obtained from 27 patients with presenile Alzheimer's disease (AD) and 28 patients with senile dementia of the Alzheimer type (SDAT) were compared with data from 30 age- and sex-matched controls. Both patient groups exhibited more pronounced delta and theta activity and less prominent alpha and beta activity than the controls. AD, however, was accompanied by more severe slowing than SDAT. The slowing was distributed in the left temporal and frontal regions in AD, and bilaterally in the frontal regions in SDAT. As the severity of the dementia increased, delta activity alone increased in AD, whereas, there were significantly greater increases in both delta and theta activity and decreases in alpha and beta activity in SDAT. These EEG differences appear to be related to the degree of brain damage and the speed of progression of the disease process.

Limitations of endoscopic haemostasis by ethanol injection and surgical management for bleeding peptic ulcer

Two hundred and fifty-three patients with bleeding peptic ulcer underwent therapeutic endoscopy using local ethanol injection and were evaluated to determine the need for surgery and outcome. Permanent endoscopic haemostasis was achieved in 178 (70.4%) cases. Pulsatile arterial bleeding in ulcers and shock on admission (respectively, P < 0.01, P < 0.05) were significantly more frequent in patients with unsuccessful endoscopic treatment. Postoperative stay was significantly longer (P < 0.05) for patients with bleeding peptic ulcer than for patients requiring surgery for intractable ulcer without bleeding. Surgery was recommended if three attempts at endoscopic treatment did not achieve permanent haemostasis. The need for more than three such treatment sessions and the presence of a large excavated ulcer with an exposed vessel in an elderly patient were considered to indicate the necessity for surgery. Surgical procedures to which the operator is accustomed and intensive management were recommended for emergency cases to optimize the likelihood of survival.

Computerized EEG and brain imaging studies in untreated schizophrenic patients: a report of seven cases

We undertook routine EEG, Z-map, CT and PET scans in seven acute untreated schizophrenics. Routine EEGs showed slower activity in only one case. However, the Z-map showed slower activity in all the cases. CT demonstrated brain atrophy in three of the cases, and PET revealed hypofrontality in two, right hypoparietality in four, and both conditions in one case. There was no relation between CT and PET or the Z-map. However, a significant increase in alpha 1 activity was demonstrated on the Z-map in cases who were found to be the parietal type on PET; this was not conspicuous in the frontal type on PET. Moreover, in three of the patients, the Z-map findings were similar to the lesion indicated on PET.

A fungicide containing iminoctadine causes circulatory failure in acute oral poisoning

We report a case of a 27-year-old man who ingested a fungicide containing iminoctadine with suicidal intent. He developed acute and severe circulatory failure which responded well to noradrenaline.

Mechanism of rat uterine smooth muscle contraction induced by endothelin-1

1. Endothelin (ET)-1 has been demonstrated to cause contraction of uterine smooth muscle. We investigated the role of ET receptor subtypes (ETA and ETB receptors) in ET-1-induced contraction of rat uterine smooth muscle by using the ETA receptor antagonist BQ-123 and the ETB receptor agonist BQ-3020. 2. ET-1 caused a contraction with superimposed oscillations of the rat isolated uterus suspended in Krebs-Ringer solution; both the amplitude of contraction as well as the oscillation frequency increased in a dose-dependent manner (10(-11)-10(-7)M). 3. BQ-123 (10(-6)M) markedly shifted the dose-response curve of ET-1 for both contractile effects and oscillation frequency to the right. 4. BQ-3020 (10(-11)-3 x 10(-7) M) did not cause uterine contraction; neither did it affect the dose-response curve of ET-1 for either the contractile effect or the increase in oscillation frequency. Thus, stimulation of ETB receptors is not involved in these responses. 5. The present findings suggest that ET-1-induced contractile responses and the increase in oscillation frequency in rat uterine smooth muscle is mediated through ETA receptors, and that ETB receptors play no role in these responses.

Contribution of endogenous endothelin-1 to the progression of cardiopulmonary alterations in rats with monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertension

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is known to have potent contractile and proliferative effects on vascular smooth muscle cells and is known to induce myocardial cell hypertrophy. We studied the pathophysiological role of endogenous ET-1 in rats with monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertension. Four-week-old rats were given a single subcutaneous injection of 60 mg/kg monocrotaline (MCT rats) or saline (control rats) and were killed after 6, 10, 14, 18, and 25 days. In the MCT rats, right ventricular systolic pressure progressively increased and right ventricular hypertrophy developed in a parallel fashion. The venous plasma ET-1 concentration also progressively increased, and this increase preceded the development of pulmonary hypertension. The isolated pulmonary artery exhibited a significantly weaker response to ET-1 in the MCT rats on day 25 but not on days 6 and 14. In the MCT rats, the expression of prepro ET-1 mRNA as measured by Northern blot analysis significantly increased in the heart on days 18 and 25, whereas it gradually decreased in the lungs. The peptide level of ET-1 in the lungs also significantly decreased in the pulmonary hypertensive stage. The expression of prepro ET-1 mRNA had increased by day 6 only in the kidneys. Continuous infusion of BQ-123, a selective ETA receptor antagonist, by an osmotic minipump (14.3 mg per day per rat for 18 days) significantly inhibited the progression of both pulmonary hypertension (right ventricular systolic pressure, 77.8 +/- 4.2 [mean +/- SEM] mm Hg [n = 10] versus 52.3 +/- 2.4 mm Hg [n = 7]; P < .01) and right ventricular hypertrophy (right ventricle/[left ventricle +/- septum], 0.56 +/- 0.03 [n = 10] versus 0.41 +/- 0.02 [n = 7]; P < .01). Histological examination revealed that BQ-123 also effectively prevented pulmonary arterial medial thickening. The inhibition of right ventricular hypertrophy by BQ-123 may be partly ascribed to the blockade of excessive stimulation of the heart by ET-1, in addition to the prevention of pulmonary hypertension. The present findings suggest that endogenous ET-1 contributes to the progression of cardiopulmonary alterations in rats with MCT-induced pulmonary hypertension.