ENDOTHELIN INDUCES THROMBOXANE RELEASE AND CONTRACTION OF ISOLATED GUINEA-PIG AIRWAYS

The possible role of thromboxane (TX) A2 in mediating the bronchopulmonary effect of endothelin (ET) was studied in isolated guinea pig airways (trachea, upper bronchi and parenchyma). ET (1-100 nM) evoked a concentration-dependent contraction of all three tissues. The contractile response was significantly attenuated by pretreatment of the tissues with the specific thromboxane receptor blockers, BM 13177 (10-50 μM) and BM 13505 (1-5 μM). Furthermore, ET caused a dose-dependent TXB2 release from trachea and parenchyma. These findings suggest that the bronchopulmonary action of ET is mediated, in part, by the release of TXA2. © 1990.