Circulating endothelin-1 concentrations in patients with chronic hypoxia

• Published in: Journal of clinical pathology Vol. 48; no. 6; pp. 519 - 524
• Main Authors: Ferri, C, Bellini, C, De Angelis, C, De Siati, L, Perrone, A, Properzi, G, Santucci, A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Association of Clinical Pathologists 01.06.1995; BMJ; BMJ Publishing Group LTD
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Chronic Disease; Endothelins - blood; Humans; Hypoxia - blood; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Lung Diseases, Obstructive - blood; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Pathology. Cytology. Biochemistry. Spectrometry. Miscellaneous investigative techniques; Respiratory system; Vasoconstriction; Human; Oxygen; Respiratory disease; Cardiovascular disease; Exploration; Endothelin 1; Concentration; Pulmonary hypertension; Chronic; Hypoxemia; Respiratory failure; Radioimmunoassay; Quantitative analysis
• ISSN: 0021-9746; 1472-4146
• DOI: 10.1136/jcp.48.6.519

AIMS--To evaluate the behavior of plasma endothelin-1 in patients with chronic hypoxia. METHODS--Fifteen male patients (mean age 52.1 +/- 3.1 years) with mild chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were studied. Twelve healthy men (mean age 48.3 +/- 5.4 years) served as controls. Both patients and controls underwent standard pulmonary function tests, echocardiographic evaluation, and arterial blood gas evaluation. Blood samples for endothelin-1 assay were taken from a previously incannulated antecubital vein after 60 minutes of rest in the supine position. Endothelin-1 was measured by radioimmunoassay after extraction from plasma. RESULTS--Patients with chronic hypoxia had lower PaO2 values (66.1 +/- 6.2 mmHg) than controls (83.8 +/- 2.7 mmHg) but PaCO2 values were similar (38.1 +/- 2.5 v 36.7 +/- 3.1 mmHg, respectively). Arterial pulmonary pressure, therefore, was higher in patients (18.1 +/- 3.7 mmHg) than in controls (10.4 +/- 2.7 mmHg) as were circulating endothelin-1 concentrations (1.22 +/- 0.36 v 0.57 +/- 0.1 pg/ml). Furthermore, plasma endothelin-1 concentrations were negatively correlated with PaO2 and directly correlated with pulmonary pressure levels. No significant correlations were found in controls. CONCLUSIONS--These results show a clear relation between chronic hypoxia and circulating endothelin-1 concentrations. Therefore, chronic hypoxia may be regarded as an important stimulus for endothelin-1 release and as one of the main contributors to increased vasoconstriction in the vascular pulmonary bed which often accompanies lung disease.