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Plasma concentrations of endothelin-1 and endothelin-3 are altered differently in various pathophysiological
T Miyauchi1, Y Sugishita, I Yamaguchi
1Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Japan.
Insights
Plasma levels of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and endothelin-3 (ET-3) differ in various human conditions. These findings suggest distinct roles for ET-1 and ET-3 in physiological and pathophysiological responses.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Endocrinology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is produced by vascular endothelial cells, while endothelin-3 (ET-3) originates from different cell types.
- The precise origin of circulating endothelins in humans remains under investigation.
- Distinct cellular production implies potentially different physiological and pathophysiological roles for ET-1 and ET-3.
Purpose of the Study:
- To measure and compare plasma concentrations of ET-1 and ET-3 in various human physiological and pathophysiological states.
- To investigate differential alterations in ET-1 and ET-3 levels across different conditions.
- To explore the potential distinct roles of ET-1 and ET-3 based on their circulating levels.
Main Methods:
- Development and utilization of novel sandwich-enzyme immunoassays for quantifying plasma ET-1 and ET-3.
- Measurement of plasma ET-1 and ET-3 levels in distinct subject groups: patients on chronic hemodialysis, age-matched normal subjects, patients with acute myocardial infarction, patients undergoing surgery, and healthy individuals.
- Analysis of ET-1 and ET-3 levels in healthy subjects before and after strenuous endurance exercise.
Main Results:
- Plasma concentrations of ET-1 and ET-3 exhibited differential alterations across the studied conditions.
- Specific patterns of change were observed in patients with chronic hemodialysis and acute myocardial infarction.
- Variations in ET-1 and ET-3 levels were noted in surgical patients and following strenuous exercise.
Conclusions:
- The distinct changes in plasma ET-1 and ET-3 levels support their divergent roles in human physiology and pathophysiology.
- Circulating endothelins, ET-1 and ET-3, likely participate differently in various physiological and disease states.
- Further research is warranted to fully elucidate the origins and functions of ET-1 and ET-3 in human health and disease.
Abstract:
Several studies have indicated that endothelin-1 (ET-1) and endothelin-3 (ET-3) are produced by different cells. Although ET-1 is produced by vascular endothelial cells, these cells do not produce ET-3. In the present study, we measured plasma concentrations of both ET-1 and ET-3 by sandwich-enzyme immunoassays which we developed recently in patients on chronic hemodialysis, age-matched normal subjects, patients with acute myocardial infarction, patients undergoing surgery, and healthy subjects before and after strenuous endurance exercise. Plasma levels of ET-1 and ET-3 were demonstrated to be altered differently in the above conditions in humans. Although the exact origin of circulating endothelins has yet to be elucidated, the different alterations of plasma levels suggest that both ET-1 and ET-3 may play different roles in physiological and/or pathophysiological responses to various conditions in humans.