Endothelin-receptor blockade does not alter closure of the ductus arteriosus

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is synthesized within the wall of the ductus arteriosus (DA) and is a potent constrictor of the DA in vitro. However, the role of endogenous ET-1 in closure of the DA at birth remains unclear. Therefore, we studied the effects of a selective ETA-receptor antagonist (PD-156707), or its vehicle, on DA closure in 13 late-gestation fetal lambs during the first 5 h after birth. We also studied the effects of ETA-receptor blockade on DA constriction induced by oxygen, indomethacin (a cyclooxygenase inhibitor), and LY-83583 (a soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor) in vitro (n = 9 ductus arteriosus rings). In vehicle-treated lambs in vivo, the DA constricted during the 5-h study period after birth: DA resistance increased (from 0.007 +/- 0.01 to 3.406 +/- 4.15 mmHg. ml-1. min. kg-1; P < 0.05); the pressure gradient across the DA increased (from 1.4 +/- 2.1 to 25.2 +/- 9.4 mmHg; P < 0.05); and DA blood flow decreased (from 193.5 +/- 48.0 to 19.3 +/- 14.3 ml. kg-1. min-1; P < 0.05). In vitro, the DA was constricted by exposure to 30% oxygen (23 +/- 14% net active tension; P < 0.05), indomethacin (5 x 10(-6) M, 22 +/- 5% net active tension; P < 0.05), LY-83583 (10(-5) M, 24 +/- 10% net active tension; P < 0.05), and ET-1 (10(-7) M, 19 +/- 4% net active tension; P < 0.05). Although PD-156707 blocked both the in vivo and in vitro effects of exogenous ET-1, it had no effect on postnatal ductus constriction nor on in vitro ductus contractile responses to oxygen, indomethacin, or LY-83583. This study suggests that endogenous ET-1 does not play an important role in closure of the DA at birth.