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Elevated endothelin-1 vasoconstrictor tone in prehypertensive adults

Brian R Weil1, Christian M Westby, Jared J Greiner

  • 1Integrative Vascular Biology Laboratory, Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA.

The Canadian Journal of Cardiology
|January 17, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Elevated endothelin-1 (ET-1) vasoconstrictor tone in prehypertension impairs blood vessel dilation. This ET-1 activity contributes to the increased cardiovascular disease risk associated with prehypertension.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Physiology
  • Vascular Biology
  • Endocrinology

Background:

  • Prehypertension (BP 120-139/80-89 mm Hg) is a significant risk factor for developing hypertension and cardiovascular disease.
  • The role of endothelin (ET)-1-mediated vasoconstrictor tone in prehypertension remains unclear.
  • Investigating ET-1's contribution to endothelial dysfunction in prehypertension is crucial for understanding disease progression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine if ET-1 vasoconstrictor tone is elevated in adults with prehypertension.
  • To assess whether ET-1-mediated vasoconstriction contributes to endothelial vasodilator dysfunction in this population.

Main Methods:

  • Forearm blood flow responses to selective ET(A) receptor blockade (BQ-123) were measured in normotensive and prehypertensive adults.
  • Nonselective ET-1 receptor blockade (BQ-123 + BQ-788) was assessed in a subset of participants.
  • Endothelium-dependent vasodilation to acetylcholine was evaluated with and without ET(A) receptor blockade.

Main Results:

  • Prehypertensive adults exhibited a significantly greater increase in forearm blood flow following ET(A) receptor blockade compared to normotensive adults.
  • Nonselective ET-1 blockade further increased blood flow in prehypertensive individuals, indicating a role for ET-1.
  • Acetylcholine-induced vasodilation was impaired in prehypertensive adults and improved with ET(A) receptor blockade.

Conclusions:

  • Elevated ET-1-mediated vasoconstrictor tone is present in prehypertension.
  • This increased ET-1 activity contributes to impaired endothelium-dependent vasodilation.
  • ET-1 vasoconstriction may be a key factor underlying the heightened risk of hypertension and cardiovascular disease in prehypertensive individuals.
Abstract

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