Endothelin enhances adrenergic vasoconstriction in perfused rat mesenteric arteries

The interaction of endothelin with alpha-adrenergic receptors was examined in isolated perfused rat mesenteric arteries. Infusion of porcine or rat endothelin increased the baseline perfusion pressure dose-dependently. Subpressor doses of both porcine (10(-11) and 10(-10)M) and rat (10(-10) and 10(-9)M) endothelin enhanced the pressor responses to norepinephrine. Nicardipine (10(-7)M), a calcium channel blocker, attenuated this potentiation. These results suggest that endothelin enhances the responsiveness of alpha-adrenergic receptors to catecholamines probably through the increase in calcium influx. Thus endothelin may interact with sympathetic nerve activity in addition to having a direct vasoconstrictor action in peripheral vascular tissue.