Regional hemodynamic and baroreflex effects of endothelin in rats

Endothelin is a peptide with potent, long-lasting pressor effects characterized by increases in mesenteric and hindquarters vascular resistance and bradycardia following an initial, transient depressor response. This study examined the mechanisms of action of endothelin on regional hemodynamics in conscious, freely moving rats and on baroreflex sensitivity both in conscious and chloralose-anesthetized rats. The pressor response to endothelin (0.67 nmol/kg) was attenuated by nifedipine (25 micrograms/kg) and augmented by chloralose anesthesia. The bradycardia was attenuated by pentolinium (10 mg/kg), atropine methyl sulfate (0.5 mg/kg), or chloralose anesthesia. Hindquarter vaso-constriction was attenuated by nifedipine, pentolinium, and atropine, whereas mesenteric vasoconstriction was less sensitive to blockade. The vasopressin V1 antagonist, [d(CH2)5Tyr(Me)]-AVP (20 micrograms/kg), indomethacin (5 mg/kg), or verapamil (150 micrograms/kg) did not affect any of these cardiovascular responses. Renal sympathetic nerve activity was reduced similarly in chloralose-anesthetized rats to pressor responses elicited by either phenylephrine or endothelin, and the slope of the baro-reflex function curve after endothelin was similar to that of phenylephrine. These results suggest that endothelin is a potent vasoconstrictor in which its action on visceral and skeletal muscle vasculature is mediated by somewhat different mechanisms. Endothelin does not alter baroreceptor reflex control of sympathetic nerve activity or heart rate.