The role of endothelin in the pathogenesis of vasospasm following subarachnoid haemorrhage.

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the vasocontractile activity of endothelin, a newly isolated endothelium-derived constrictor peptide, in canine basilar arteries in vitro and in vivo. Endothelin at concentrations of 10(-12) M approximately 3 X 10(-8) M elicited dose-dependent contractions of canine basilar arteries in vitro. The maximum tension was larger than that induced by 40 mM KCl. The EC50 value was 1.9 +/- 0.6 X 10(-9) M (mean +/- SEM). The endothelin-induced contraction was reversed by 10(-8) M nicardipine or 10(-5) M approximately 10(-4) M papaverine. An intracisternal injection of 0.6 approximately 1.2 X 10(-12) mol/kg of endothelin caused biphasic contraction of the basilar artery lasting for more than 24 h. The initial phase of the contraction accompanied remarkable changes in vital signs such as an acute rise of blood pressure, bradycardia and respiratory arrest. An intracisternal injection of 2.0 X 10(-12) mol/kg of endothelin also induced acute contraction of the basilar artery. However, all of the dogs which received an intracisternal injection of 2.0 X 10(-12) mol/kg of endothelin died from sustained respiratory insufficiency. The present results demonstrate that endothelin induces strong and long-lasting contractions of cerebral arteries. Therefore, endothelin may play an important role in the pathogenesis of vasospasm.