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Cerebral microvessel endothelium is producing endothelin.
S Yoshimoto1, Y Ishizaki, H Kurihara
1Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Japan.
Brain Research
|February 5, 1990
Summary
Endothelin, a vasoconstrictor peptide, is produced by porcine cerebral microvessel endothelia. This suggests endothelia regulate local brain blood flow via endothelin production.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Physiology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Endothelin is a potent vasoconstrictor peptide found in porcine aortic endothelia.
- Endothelin is implicated as the endothelium-derived contractile factor (EDCF).
- EDCF mediates endothelium-dependent vasoconstriction in response to various stimuli.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate endothelin production by porcine cerebral microvessel endothelia.
- To determine if cerebral microvessel endothelia contribute to local brain blood flow regulation.
Main Methods:
- Northern blot analysis using a porcine endothelin cDNA probe.
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with an anti-porcine endothelin antibody.
Main Results:
- Endothelin production was detected in the endothelia of porcine cerebral microvessels.
- Evidence supports the presence and synthesis of endothelin in this specific vascular bed.
Conclusions:
- Porcine cerebral microvessel endothelia produce endothelin.
- Endothelin production by these endothelia may play a role in regulating local cerebral blood flow.