Endothelin-1 plasma concentration increases in the early phase of pulmonary hypertension development during respiratory distress syndrome: a study in newborn lambs.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

Elevated plasma concentrations of endothelin-1 (ET-1) have been reported with pulmonary hypertension during respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). However, the exact role of ET-1 in the development of pulmonary hypertension during RDS is unclear. The relative time-course of changes in ET-1 concentrations and pulmonary artery pressure (P(ap)) during RDS may give insight in the role of ET-1.

METHODS:

ET-1 and P(ap) changes were studied in an experimental model of RDS, induced by lung lavages in seven newborn lambs. Five other lambs served as controls.

RESULTS:

Lung lavages induced a twofold increase of mean P(ap) (from 15 to 34 mm Hg) that remained present throughout the 4-h study period. Along with the increased P(ap), ET-1 plasma concentration showed a significant increase 15 min after induction of RDS at all three sample locations (pulmonary artery 198%, aorta 181% and right atrium 195% compared to baseline). This increased concentration remained high at 1 and 4 h of RDS. In control animals, no significant changes in ET-1 concentrations were observed. Plotting ET-1 concentration values against mean P(ap), in RDS and control animals at all time points, a correlation was found between the severity of the pulmonary hypertension and ET-1 concentration.

CONCLUSION:

This experimental model of RDS shows that ET-1 concentration increases concomitant with the development of pulmonary hypertension, from an early time point onward. More severe pulmonary hypertension is associated with higher ET-1 concentrations, but whether ET-1 is a marker or a mediator of pulmonary hypertension remains as yet unsettled.

• Authors: M de Vroomen, R H Lopes Cardozo, P Steendijk, M Frölich, J Baan, F van Bel
• Journal: Early human development (Early Hum Dev) Vol. 63 Issue 1 Pg. 9-21 (Jun 2001) ISSN: 0378-3782 [Print] Ireland
• PMID: 11311565 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Endothelin-1
• Carbon Dioxide
• Oxygen

Topics

• Animals
• Animals, Newborn
• Arteries
• Blood Pressure
• Carbon Dioxide (blood)
• Disease Models, Animal
• Endothelin-1 (blood)
• Hemodynamics
• Humans
• Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
• Hypertension, Pulmonary (blood, etiology)
• Infant, Newborn
• Kinetics
• Oxygen (blood)
• Pulmonary Artery (physiopathology)
• Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn (complications)
• Sheep
• Vascular Resistance