Related Experiment Videos
Raised plasma endothelin-I concentration following cold pressor test
F Fyhrquist1, O Saijonmaa, K Metsärinne
1Unit of Clinical Physiology, Minerva Institute for Medical Research, Helsinki, Finland.
Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
|May 31, 1990
Summary
Cold exposure significantly increases plasma endothelin-1 levels. This suggests a link between endothelin-1 and cold-induced vasoconstriction, impacting blood flow regulation.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Endothelin-1 is a potent vasoconstrictor peptide.
- The role of endothelin-1 in cold-induced vascular responses is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of cold pressor test on plasma endothelin-1 concentrations.
- To explore the relationship between endothelin-1 and cold-induced vasoconstriction.
Main Methods:
- Radioimmunoassay was used to measure plasma endothelin-1.
- Healthy subjects underwent a cold pressor test involving forearm immersion in ice-water.
Main Results:
- Plasma endothelin-1 levels significantly increased in the immersed arm (from 1.2 to 8.4 pg/ml) and contralateral arm (from 1.4 to 4.6 pg/ml).
- Peak endothelin-1 levels were observed within 2 minutes post-immersion.
Conclusions:
- Exposure to cold stimuli elevates circulating endothelin-1 levels.
- Endothelin-1 may play a role in the vasoconstriction observed during cold exposure.