Changes of Endothelin-1 after Pulmonary Venous Stenosis in Model

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Endothelin-1(ET-1) is a potent vasoconstrictor peptide. It has potent contractile and proliferative effects on vascular smooth muscle cells. Congenital heart diseases are often accompanied by pulmonary hypertension, and the severity of pulmonary hypertension is important in the prognosis. The aim of this study was to elucidate changes of ET-1 after pulmonary venous stenosis in a dog model, and investigate the interaction between pulmonary venous pressure and ET-1. METHODS: Plasma ET-1 levels were measured by radioimmuno-assay at the thoracic aorta, left pulmonary artery and left pulmonary vein. Pressures were also monitored at the same sites. Immunohistochemical staining of ET-1 was performed in the lung tissue. RESULTS: Increased serum ET-1 levels were noted at 1 hour after left pulmonary vein stenosis in the left pulmonary vein and aorta, and at 2 days after stenosis in the left pulmonary artery. Left pulmonary venous pressure was significantly increased at 1 hour after pulmonary vein stenosis, and systolic pulmonary artery pressure at 2 days after stenosis. Increased expression of ET-1 was noted by immunohistochemical staining at the lung tissue at 7 days after stenosis of left pulmonary vein. CONCLUSION: Increased serum ET-1 level and expression of ET-1 in immunohistochemical staining at lung tissue were noted after stenosis of pulmonary vein. Serum ET-1 level would be useful in the diagnosis and prediction of pulmonary artery hypertension. (J Korean Pediatr Soc 2000;43769 778)