Plasma-levels of endothelin-1 and angiotensin-II and reactivity of arterial blood pressure to exogenous sympathomimetics and vasoactive peptides in rat model of malignant renal hypertension.

BACKGROUND There is still considerable uncertainty regarding sensitivity of arterial blood pressure to endogenous peptides in renal hypertension. Many pathological processes including hypertension have been shown to be associated with release of endothelin-1 (ET-1). However the role of ET-1 in regulation of arterial blood pressure in hypertension is still controversial. OBJECTIVES The role of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and angiotensin-II (AT-II) in malignant phase of renovascular hypertension has been assessed on the basis of arterial blood pressure increase and ETA receptor density measurements in Glodblatt-hypertensive rats (RVH). RESULTS The arterial blood pressure response to sympatomimetic amines, vasopressors, the plasma ET-1 and AT-II levels as well as renal subtype-ETA receptor density were significantly increased in RVH rats with malignant hypertension. The dominance of vasopressor ETA receptors in RVH rats suggest the contribution of endothelin peptides to malignant renovascular hypertension. (Tab. 1, Fig. 7, Ref. 25.)