Title: Changes of plasma endothelin levels in cirrhotic rats with portal hypertension
Abstract: Objective The present experiment was to observe the change of endothelin (ET) levels andinvestigate its mechanisms in cirrhotic rats with portal hypertension (PHT). Methods Twenty-nine male Sprague-Dawly(SD) rats were randomly divided into three groups: intrahepatic portal hypertension by injection of CC14group (IHPH, n=10), portacaval shunt group (PCS, n=9), and sham-operation group (so, n=10). Plasma levels of ET were measured by radioimmunoassay (RLA) and plasma levels of nitric oxide (NO) were measured bybiochermical method. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) and free portal pressure (FPP) were continuously recorded bytransducers. Results As compared with SO rats, the plasma concentrations of ET were significantly decreased inPCS and IHPH rats (P0.05), howerver, no significant difference was noted between as and IHPH rats. Therewas a close correlation between concentration of ET in the aorta and MAP in all three groups (r=0.7216, n=29,P0.01). Plasma concentrations of NO were significantly increased in PCS and IHPH rats as compared with SOrats. There was a marked negative correlation between concentrations of NO and MAP (r=-0.4888, n=29,P0.01). There wes a significant negative correlation (r=-0. 5723, n=29, P0.01) between plasma ETand NO levels. Conclusions The results of the present study demonstrate that the decreased number of epithelialcells in the intrahepatic vessels and hepatic sinosoid in cirrhotic rats with portal hypertension may be responsible forthe decreased biosynthesis of ET in the liver. Furthermore, it is a possible reason why increased concertration ofNO may inhibit the production of or in cirrhotic rats.
Publication Year: 1999
Publication Date: 1999-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
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