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Endothelin release by capsaicin in isolated working rat heart
J Szolcsányi1, G Oroszi, J Németh
1Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, University Medical School of Pécs, Pecs, Hungary. szolcs@apacs.pote.hu
European Journal of Pharmacology
|August 17, 1999
Summary
Capsaicin significantly reduced heart rate and blood flow in rat hearts. These effects are primarily mediated by neural endothelin release, as shown by blocking studies.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Capsaicin is known to affect various physiological systems.
- Endothelin is a potent vasoconstrictor peptide with significant cardiovascular effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mechanism by which capsaicin influences cardiac function in isolated working rat hearts.
- To determine the role of endothelin in mediating the cardiovascular effects of capsaicin.
Main Methods:
- Isolated working rat heart model was used to assess cardiac function.
- Concentration-response curves for capsaicin were generated.
- Effects of endothelin and a non-selective endothelin receptor antagonist (PD142893) were evaluated.
Main Results:
- Capsaicin induced a concentration-dependent decrease in heart rate, coronary flow, aortic flow, and left ventricular developed pressure.
- The effects of capsaicin were mimicked by endothelin.
- PD142893 antagonized the effects of both endothelin and capsaicin.
Conclusions:
- The cardiovascular effects of capsaicin in the isolated working rat heart are largely mediated by the release of neural endothelin.
- Endothelin receptor blockade effectively inhibits capsaicin-induced cardiac dysfunction.