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BACKGROUND: The role of endothelin (ET)-1 in maintenance of basal vascular tone has been demonstrated by local and systemic vasodilatation to endothelin receptor antagonists in humans. Although the constrictor effects mediated by the vascular smooth muscle ET(A) receptors are clear, the contribution from endothelial and vascular smooth muscle ET(B) receptors remains to be defined. The present study, in human forearm resistance vessels in vivo, was designed to further investigate the physiological function of ET(A) and ET(B) receptor subtypes in human blood vessels and determine the mechanism underlying the vasodilatation to the ET(A)-selective receptor antagonist BQ-123. METHODS AND RESULTS: Two studies were performed, each in groups of eight healthy subjects. Brachial artery infusion of BQ-123 caused significant forearm vasodilatation in both studies. This vasodilatation was reduced by 95% (P=.006) with inhibition of the endogenous generation of nitric oxide and by 38% (P

Original publication

DOI

10.1161/01.cir.97.8.752

Type

Journal article

Journal

Circulation

Publication Date

03/03/1998

Volume

97

Pages

752 - 756

Keywords

Adult, Endothelin Receptor Antagonists, Female, Forearm, Humans, Male, Nitric Oxide, Nitric Oxide Synthase, Oligopeptides, Peptides, Cyclic, Piperidines, Prostaglandins, Receptor, Endothelin A, Receptor, Endothelin B, Regional Blood Flow, Vasodilation, Vasodilator Agents