Endothelin and vein bypass grafts in experimental atherosclerosis.

Abstract

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a potent vasoconstrictor whose serum concentration increases with the development of atherosclerosis. Coronary artery-vein bypass grafts are susceptible to vasospasm and to the development of accelerated atherosclerosis. Although ET-1 is thought to play a role in coronary vasospasm, the effect of ET-1 in atherosclerotic vein grafts is unknown. The responses of veins, arteries, and vein bypass grafts from normolipidemic and hyperlipidemic animals to ET-1 were therefore investigated. Vein bypass grafts were placed in the carotid position of 12 New Zealand White rabbits. Seven were fed a 1% cholesterol diet for 4 weeks before surgery and thereafter until harvest (hyperlipidemia), and five were fed a normal diet (normolipidemia). Vein grafts, contralateral common carotid arteries, and jugular veins were harvested 4 weeks after surgery. Whereas there were no histologic changes in veins or carotids, normolipidemic vein grafts developed intimal hyperplasia and hyperlipidemic vein grafts developed atherosclerosis. Isometric tension studies with ET-1 (10(-12) to 10(-6) M) showed that hyperlipidemia increased the maximal tension generated to ET-1 in the veins (660 +/- 80 to 1,110 +/- 140 mg, mean +/- SEM; p < 0.05), carotids (150 +/- 30 mg to 540 +/- 120 mg; p < 0.05), and vein grafts (180 +/- 20 to 450 +/- 60 mg; p < 0.001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

• Authors: M G Davies, M L Klyachkin, J H Kim, P O Hagen
• Journal: Journal of cardiovascular pharmacology (J Cardiovasc Pharmacol) Vol. 22 Suppl 8 Pg. S348-51 ( 1993) ISSN: 0160-2446 [Print] United States
• PMID: 7509984 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Endothelins
• Cholesterol

Topics

• Animals
• Carotid Artery, Common (drug effects, physiopathology)
• Cholesterol (blood)
• Coronary Artery Bypass
• Coronary Artery Disease (physiopathology)
• Diet, Atherogenic
• Endothelins (pharmacology, physiology)
• Hyperlipidemias (blood, physiopathology)
• Isometric Contraction (physiology)
• Jugular Veins (drug effects, physiopathology)
• Muscle Contraction (drug effects)
• Muscle, Smooth, Vascular (physiology)
• Rabbits
• Transplantation, Autologous