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Endothelin in patients with chronic renal failure
Y Saito1, N Kazuwa, G Shirakami
1Department of Medicine, Kyoto University School of Medicine, Japan.
Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology
|January 1, 1991
Summary
Plasma endothelin-1 (ET-1) levels are significantly elevated in chronic renal failure (CRF) due to reduced kidney clearance. This increase is primarily driven by a higher proportion of large molecular forms of ET-1-like immunoreactivity (LI).
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Endocrinology
- Cardiovascular Physiology
Background:
- Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a potent vasoconstrictor implicated in various cardiovascular and renal diseases.
- Elevated ET-1 levels have been observed in several conditions, but its specific role in chronic renal failure (CRF) requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the pathophysiological significance of ET-1 in patients with CRF.
- To quantify plasma and urine ET-1 levels and analyze its molecular forms in CRF.
Main Methods:
- Plasma and urine concentrations of ET-1-like immunoreactivity (LI) were measured using radioimmunoassay (RIA).
- Gel permeation chromatography was employed to analyze the molecular forms of ET-1-LI in plasma.
Main Results:
- Plasma ET-1-LI levels were significantly increased in both hemodialyzed and non-hemodialyzed CRF patients compared to normal subjects.
- Urine ET-1-LI levels and daily excretion were lower in CRF patients, suggesting decreased renal clearance.
- Chromatographic analysis revealed a shift in ET-1-LI molecular forms in CRF plasma, with a higher ratio of large to small molecular forms (1:13) compared to normal plasma (1:4).
Conclusions:
- The elevated plasma ET-1-LI in CRF is primarily due to impaired renal clearance.
- The increase in plasma ET-1-LI is mainly attributed to a disproportionate rise in large molecular weight forms of ET-1.
- These findings highlight the altered ET-1 metabolism in renal failure and its potential pathophysiological implications.