Endothelin-1 (ET-1) involvement in respiratory dysfunctions during endotoxic shock in the pig

摘要

Endothelin 1 (ET-1) is a peptide with potent vasoconstrictive and bronchoconstric-tive properties, isolated for the first time from swine endothelial aortic cells (Yanagisawa et al., 1988). The effects of ET-1 are mediated by at least two receptors, ET_A and ET_B, located on smooth muscle cells or on the endothelium (Perrault and Baribeau, 1995). The cardiovascular role exerted by ET-1 during endotoxic shock has been extensively evaluated Weitzberg et al, 1996; (Filep, 2000), while its involvement in respiratory mechanics has not been completely clarified. The purpose of our study was to determine the role of ET-1 on the derangement of respiratory mechanics in a porcine model of endotoxaemic shock. To block the action of ET-1, we used BQ123 and BQ788, receptor antagonist of ET_A and ET_B, respectively.