New expansion of endothelin research: Perspectives for clinical application of endothelin-receptor antagonists.

Accession number;03A0151150
Title;New expansion of endothelin research: Perspectives for clinical application of endothelin-receptor antagonists.
Author; GOTO KATSUTOSHI (Univ. of Tsukuba, Inst. of Basic Med. Sci.) MIYAUCHI TAKASHI (Univ. of Tsukuba, Inst. of Clin. Med.)
Journal Title;Folia Pharmacologica Japonica
Journal Code:G0740A
ISSN:0015-5691
VOL.121;NO.2;PAGE.91-101(2003)
Figure&Table&Reference;FIG.3, TBL.1, REF.51
Pub. Country;Japan
Language;Japanese
Abstract;Three isopeptides of endothelin (ET-1, -2, and -3) exert various actions through stimulation of two subtypes of receptor (ETA and ETB). Vascular endothelial cells produce only ET-1. In addition to its powerful vasoconstrictor action, ET-1 has direct mitogenic actions on cardiovascular tissues, as well as co-mitogennic actions with a wide variety of growth factors and vasoactive substances. ET-1 also promotes the synthesis and secretion of growth factors and various substances, including extracellular constituents. These effects of endogenous ET-1 would naturally be thought to be concerned with the development and/or aggravation of chronic cardiovascular diseases; e.g., hypertension, pulmonary hypertension, vascular remodeling (stenosis, atherosclerosis), renal failure, and heart failure. A large number of peptide and orally active non-peptide endothelin receptor antagonists have been developed, and utilized to analyze physiological and pathophysiological roles of endogenous ET-1. These antagonists have been shown to exert excellent therapeutic effects in animal models of various kinds of diseases by either acute or chronic treatment. Therapeutic treatment of patients suffering from the above-mentioned cardiovascular diseases with ET-receptor antagonists have also been taking place, and bosentan (ETA/ETB antagonist) was recently approved by the FDA as a formal therapeutic drug for pulmonary hypertension. In this review, perspectives for therapeutic applicability of ET-receptor antagonists will be explored. (author abst.)
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