Endothelin-1-induced relaxation of guinea pig trachealis muscles

Different mechanisms involved in relaxation of guinea-pig trachea by endothelin-1 and -3

The effects of endothelin-1 and endothelin-3 were investigated on carbachol-contracted guinea-pig isolated trachea. Endothelin-1 and endothelin-3 (0.1-100 nM) induced partial dose-dependent relaxation of the precontracted preparations. The endothelin-1-induced relaxation was markedly attenuated by haemoglobin (10 microM) and methylene blue (10 microM) and by epithelium removal. In contrast, endothelin-3-induced relaxation was not affected by haemoglobin, methylene blue or epithelium removal. The large conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+)-channel blocker, charybdotoxin, antagonized the endothelin-1- and the endothelin-3-induced relaxation to the same extent. These results show that both endothelin-1 and endothelin-3 relaxant activities are modulated by charybdotoxin-sensitive K(+)-channels, while the nitric oxide pathway is only involved in endothelin-1 relaxant effects.

Effects of endothelin B antagonist RES-701-1 on endothelin-induced contractile responses in-vivo and in-vitro in guinea-pigs

The effects of an endothelin (ET)-receptor B-specific antagonist, RES-701-1, on ET-induced contraction of guinea-pig trachea and on ET-induced bronchoconstriction in anaesthetized guinea-pigs were investigated. In the epithelium-removed tracheal preparation, 1 x 10(-5) M RES-701-1 inhibited contractions induced by the ETB-specific agonist sarafotoxin S6c (pKB = 6.10). In the epithelium-intact tracheal preparation, RES-701-1 (1 x 10(-5) M)inhibited the ET-3-induced contraction (pKB = 5.27), but enhanced the ET-1-induced contraction significantly and shifted the concentration-response curve to the left. The maximal responses of ET-1- and ET-3-induced contraction were augmented by epithelium removal by 1.5 and 1.8-fold, respectively. Against ET-3-induced contraction in the tracheal preparation without epithelium, RES-701-1 (0.3-10 x 10(-6)M) antagonized the contraction in a concentration-dependent manner (pA2 = 5.9). On the other hand, RES-701-1 (1 x 10(-5)M) did not affect ET-1-evoked responses in the trachea without epithelium. The intravenous administration of ET-1 (1.5 nmol/kg-1) or ET-3 (1.5 nmol/kg-1) evoked a biphasic, fast and sustained bronchoconstriction in anaesthetized guinea-pigs pretreated with propranolol (1.0 mg/kg-1). when administered intravenously, RES-701-1 (0.3 or 1.0 mg/kg-1) showed significant reduction in both phases of bronchoconstriction induced by ET-3. As in the case of ET-1-induced bronchoconstriction, rES-701-1 augmented the sustained phase although a significant reduction of the fast phase was observed. These results indicate that RES-701-1 can inhibit the ET-3 induced airway responses not only in-vitro but also in-vivo.

Actions of endothelins and sarafotoxin 6c in the rat isolated perfused lung

1. Endothelin (ET) receptors within the vasculature and airways were studied in a rat perfused lung model in which pulmonary perfusion pressure (PPP), pulmonary inflation pressure (PIP) and lung weight were continuously monitored. 2. The vascular potencies of ETs (ET-1 > ET-2 > ET-3) suggest an action via ETA receptors. This was confirmed by use of the antagonist, BQ123 (2 microM). The vasoconstrictor effects of sarafotoxin 6c (SX6C) also indicated the presence of ETB receptors. 3. Lung weight increases induced by ETs appeared to be a consequence of their vasoconstrictor potencies. The mixed ET receptor antagonist, bosentan (5 microM), markedly attenuated the responses of ET-1 and SX6C on PPP and lung weight, further implicating activation of both ETA and ETB receptors in these responses. 4. Endothelin-1 (ET-1) induced an accumulation of albumin-bound Evans blue dye in orthogradely perfused lungs. Retrograde perfusion attenuated the extravasation and increase in lung weight due to ET-1 but significantly augmented those induced by SX6C. 5. The bronchoconstrictor actions of ETs (ET-1 = ET-2 = ET-3) and SX6C suggest this is an ETB-mediated response. However SX6C was more potent than ETs and the dose-response curve was significantly steeper and achieved a higher maximum. 6. Indomethacin did not affect the vascular or bronchial responses to ET-1 or SX6C. 7. These findings indicate that rat pulmonary vasculature contains both ETA and ETB receptors. Retrograde perfusion suggests that ETB receptors are located arterially whereas ETA receptors are predominantly venous in distribution. Differences in the bronchoconstrictor potency of SX6C (compared to ETs) and the antagonism by bosentan may indicate ETB receptor heterogeneity in the airways.