Different mode of action of endothelin-1 in parietal and visceral veins

The mode of contractile effect of endothelin-1 in venous smooth muscles was evaluated using three isolated veins, the jugular vein, the portal vein and the inferior caval vein of dogs. The contractile responses to endothelin-1 were attenuated by atropine and augmented by neostigmine in the inferior caval and portal veins, but were not affected by either agent in the jugular vein. We conclude that the contractile responses of visceral veins to endothelin-1 are partly mediated via endogenously released acetylcholine.