Effects of an ET1‐receptor antagonist, FR139317, on regional haemodynamic responses to endothelin‐1 and Ala11,15Ac‐endothelin‐1 (6–21) in conscious rats

In conscious, Long Evans rats, chronically instrumented for the measurement of regional haemodynamics, we compared responses to the putative, selective ETB-receptor agonist, Ala1,3,11,15endothelin-1 (ET-1), obtained from two sources (Microchemical Laboratory, Cambridge (MLC) and Neosystem Laboratory, France (NLF)). Ala1,3,11,15ET-1 (0.15, 0.3, 1 and 10 nmol kg-1) from MCL caused dose-dependent pressor effects, accompanied by reductions in renal and, particularly, mesenteric flows and vascular conductances; there was an initial hyperaemic vasodilatation in the hindquarters which was not dose-dependent, and only with the highest dose was there a subsequent vasoconstriction. There was no significant initial depressor response to Ala1,3,11,15ET-1 from MLC at any dose. However, the peptide from NLF exerted dose-dependent depressor and hindquarters vasodilator actions, and subsequent pressor effects. The difference between the two peptide preparations remains unexplained, but it appears that the Ala1,3,11,15ET-1 from MLC may activate ETB-receptors mediating vasoconstriction, more effectively than those mediating vasodilatation. 2. We also assessed responses to the putative ETB-receptor agonist, Ala11,15Ac-ET-1 (6-21) (BQ-3020), and determined the effects of the selective ETA-receptor antagonist, FR139317, on responses to ET-1 and BQ-3020 at doses matched for their initial depressor and subsequent pressor effects (ET-1, 0.5 nmol kg-1, BQ-3020, 10 nmol kg-1), and also at doses that did not affect mean arterial blood pressure, but which were matched for their renal vasoconstrictor effects (ET-1, 7.5 pmol kg-1; BQ-3020, 0.15 nmol kg-1). 3. BQ-3020 (0.15, 0.3 and 1 nmol kg-1) had dose-dependent pressor effects accompanied by reductions in renal and, particularly, mesenteric flows and vascular conductances. BQ-3020 at a dose of 10 nmol kg-1 elicited an initial depressor response which coincided with an attenuated mesenteric vasoconstrictor effect, accompanying a marked hindquarters vasodilatation. Hence, it appears that BQ-3020 may activate both vasoconstrictor and vasodilator ETB-receptors. 4. FR139317 (0.5 mumol kg-1) caused attenuation of the pressor, and renal, mesenteric and hindquarters vasoconstrictor effects of ET-1 (0.5 nmol kg-1) and of BQ-3020 (10 nmol kg-1), but the reductions of the pressor and renal vasoconstrictor effects of ET-1 were greater than those of BQ-3020. However, in the presence of FR139317, significant pressor and renal, mesenteric and hindquarters vasoconstrictor responses to ET-1 and BQ-3020 still occurred, and the initial depressor and hindquarters vasodilator responses to both peptides were unchanged. 5. ET-1 at a dose of 7.5 pmol kg-1 and BQ-3020 at a dose of 0.15 nmol kg-1 had similar renal vasoconstrictor effects. However, the response to ET-1 was almost abolished by FR139317 whereas that to BQ-3020 was unaffected. Moreover, under these conditions, the mesenteric vasoconstrictor and hindquarters vasodilator responses to ET-1 and to BQ-3020 were not changed by FR139317.6. Collectively, these results are consistent with the haemodynamic effects of ET-1 and BQ-3020 involving ETA-receptors or ETB-receptors, or ETA- and ETB-receptors, depending on the dose of agonist and the regional haemodynamic effect considered.