Reactive astrogliosis is an essential and ubiquitous response to CNS injury, but in some cases, aberrant activation of astrocytes and their release of inhibitory signaling molecules can impair endogenous neural repair processes. Our lab previously identified a secreted intercellular signaling molecule, called endothelin-1 (ET-1), which is expressed at high levels by reactive astrocytes in multi...

The enzymatic conversion of human big endothelins (1, 2, and 3) to their respective active metabolites (endothelin-1, -2, and -3) was investigated in the perfused rabbit kidney through the pressor- and eicosanoid-releasing properties of these peptides. Intra-arterial bolus injections of endothelin-1 and -2 (5-50 pmol), endothelin-3 (100-250 pmol), and big endothelin-1 and -2 (100-250 pmol) into...

By using BQ-788 as a selective endothelin ETB-receptor antagonist and FR139317 as a selective endothelin ETA-receptor antagonist, we have characterized the receptor subtypes mediating the systemic and renal vascular effects of endothelin-1 and IRL1620, a selective endothelin ETB-receptor agonist (succinyl-[Glu9,Ala11,5]-endothelin-1(8-21)), in anesthetized rats. Bolus intravenous injection of e...

Plasma endothelin 1 concentrations were determined in infants with meconium stained amniotic fluid. Plasma endothelin 1 concentration in the study group (5.23 pg/ml) was statistically higher than that in the control group (1.12 pg/ml). Cord blood pH and base excess values were significantly lower in infants with meconium stained amniotic fluid when compared with the control group. There was no ...