EFFECT OF ENDOTHELIN-1 IN MAN

The effect of an intravenous infusion of human endothelin-1 on blood pressure and plasma concentrations of endothelin-1, potassium, sodium, renin, aldosterone, and atrial natriuretic factor was investigated in six healthy, sodium-loaded men. During the peptide's exogenous application (1.0, 2.5, and 5.0 ng/kg . min), its plasma concentrations rose from a basal value of 1.2±0.3 to 3.2±1.9, 9.9±7.6, and 56.5±50.3 pmol/1 (p<0.01), respectively, and mean blood pressure rose from a basal value of 87.1±7.3 to 92.6±8.2 mm Hg (p<0.01). A rise in serum concentrations of potassium (from 4.0±0.3 to 4.6±0.2 mmol/l;p<0.005) and a concomitant fall in serum concentrations of sodium (from 142.7±1.0 to 139.5±2.3 mmol/l;p<0.05) was seen in each subject. Plasma concentrations of renin, aldosterone, and atrial natriuretic factor did not change during the infusion of endothelin-1. Thus, in the doses used, endothelin-1 induces a rise in blood pressure and serum potassium concentrations.