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Endothelin potently constricts rat airways in vivo
G U Di Maria1, L S Malatino, S Bellofiore
1Institute of Respiratory Disease, University of Catania, Italy.
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|January 1, 1991
Abstract:
We investigated the effects of aerosolized endothelin (ET) on pulmonary mechanics of anesthetized spontaneously breathing rats. ET inhalation caused a concentration-dependent increase in pulmonary resistance (RL). In control condition RL was 0.17 +/- 0.04 cmH2O/ml/s (mean +/- SE; n = 6) and increased to 1.45 +/- 0.28 cmH2O/ml/s (p less than 0.05) after ET 4 x 10(-5) M. The pulmonary responses to ET lasted up to 60 minutes. These results suggest a role for endothelin in the regulation of airway smooth muscle tone.