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Published on: February 9, 2016
In situ endothelin in coronary artery disease
J I Brody1, D M Capuzzi, G B Fink
1Department of Medicine, Medical College of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA.
Insights
Endothelin-1 (ET-1) may contribute to coronary artery disease progression. Increased ET-1 was found in failed grafts and damaged arteries, suggesting its role in atherothrombosis and coronary heart disease.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Science
- Pathophysiology
- Medical Research
Background:
- Coronary artery disease (CAD) pathogenesis remains incompletely understood despite treatment advances.
- Atherothrombosis involves multiple interacting factors leading to coronary occlusion.
- Endothelin-1 (ET-1), a vasoconstrictor, is a potential factor in CAD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and role of endothelin-1 (ET-1) in coronary artery disease.
- To examine ET-1 levels in various vascular grafts and myocardial tissues.
Main Methods:
- Immunocytochemistry with an anti-endothelin antibody was used.
- ET-1 presence was assessed in saphenous veins, internal mammary arteries, and native coronary arteries.
- Samples were analyzed before and after surgical intervention or graft failure.
Main Results:
- Endothelin was detected in saphenous veins, internal mammary arteries, and coronary artery segments.
- Elevated ET-1 levels were observed in failed venous grafts.
- Increased ET-1 was also noted in damaged internal mammary artery grafts and myocardial vessels.
Conclusions:
- Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is present in human coronary vasculature.
- Increased ET-1 correlates with graft failure and vascular damage in CAD patients.
- ET-1 may play a significant pathophysiologic role in the development of coronary heart disease.
Abstract:
Despite the significant advances made in the understanding and treatment of coronary artery disease much remains unclear about the pathogenesis of this complex atherothrombotic process. Atherogenesis may reflect a combination of multiple factors interacting with one another leading to coronary artery occlusion. One potential participant may be endothelin-1 (ET-1), a potent mitogenic vasoconstrictor. The presence of endothelin within saphenous veins before insertion and after removal during coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) because of bypass closure, within internal mammary arteries before and after surgical intervention, and within native coronary artery segments resected during CABG was demonstrated immunocytochemically with an antiendothelin antibody and aminoethyl carbazole as the indicator chromogen. Increased amounts of ET-1 were observed in failed venous grafts, in damaged internal mammary artery grafts, and in vessels of the myocardium. These results suggest that ET-1 may play a significant pathophysiologic role in the evolution of coronary heart disease.
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