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Hypoxaemia and release of endothelin-1
R I Cargill1, D G Kiely, R A Clark
1Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee, UK.
Thorax
|December 1, 1995
Summary
Hypoxaemia significantly increases plasma endothelin-1 levels in humans. This finding is relevant for understanding cardiovascular responses to low oxygen conditions and conditions like cor pulmonale.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Endocrinology
- Respiratory Medicine
Background:
- Endothelin-1 is a potent vasoconstrictor peptide secreted by vascular endothelium.
- Endothelin-1 secretion increases with various stimuli.
- The effect of hypoxaemia on human plasma endothelin-1 levels was previously unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether acute hypoxaemia affects plasma endothelin-1 concentrations in humans.
- To compare endothelin-1 levels in healthy individuals under hypoxaemia with those in patients with hypoxaemic cor pulmonale.
Main Methods:
- Plasma endothelin-1 levels were quantified using radioimmunoassay.
- Measurements were taken in 10 healthy control subjects at rest and during induced acute hypoxaemia (SaO2 75-80%).
- Endothelin-1 levels were also assessed in 10 patients diagnosed with hypoxaemic cor pulmonale.
Main Results:
- In control subjects, plasma endothelin-1 increased from 0.90 pmol/l at rest to 2.34 pmol/l during hypoxaemia.
- Patients with cor pulmonale exhibited plasma endothelin-1 levels of 2.96 pmol/l.
- These levels in cor pulmonale patients were higher than in resting controls but comparable to controls experiencing hypoxaemia.
Conclusions:
- Acute hypoxaemia demonstrably elevates plasma endothelin-1 levels in humans.
- Elevated endothelin-1 in cor pulmonale patients likely results primarily from hypoxaemia.
- The precise pathophysiological implications of these increased endothelin-1 levels require further investigation.