Effects of chronic ET(A)-receptor blockade in angiotensin II-induced hypertension

Abstract

Angiotensin II, a constrictor and mitogen of vascular smooth muscle cells, affects the release of endothelium-derived factors such as nitric oxide or endothelin-1. This study investigated the influence of endothelin- 1, using the selective endothelin A receptor antagonist LU135252, on blood pressure and endothelial function in angiotensin II-induced hypertension in the rat. Two weeks of angiotensin II administration (200 ng/kg per minute) increased systolic blood pressure (+35+5 min Hg; tail-cuff method) compared with placebo (P