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Very low concentrations of the vasoconstrictor peptide endothelin cause intense long-lasting renal vasoconstriction. In the isolated perfused rat kidney, the concentration of endothelin required to reduce blood-flow by 50% is 200 pmol/l, compared with 1000 pmol/l angiotensin II (previously the most potent known vasoconstrictor). Whereas angiotensin II has little effect on the glomerular filtration rate (GFR), a rise in endothelin from 100 to 800 pmol/l reduces GFR by 90%. Endothelin is probably present in the circulation at low concentrations in vivo; events associated clinically with acute renal failure would tend to increase this concentration. Endothelin may be a mediator in the pathogenesis of acute renal failure.

Type

Journal article

Journal

Lancet

Publication Date

19/11/1988

Volume

2

Pages

1179 - 1182

Keywords

Acute Kidney Injury, Adenosine, Animals, Dose-Response Relationship, Drug, Endothelins, Glomerular Filtration Rate, Kidney, Peptides, Rats, Renal Circulation