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Abstract #5676 Published in IGR 2-1
Endothelin-1 contributes to hyperoxia-induced vasoconstriction in the human retina
Dallinger S; Dorner GT; Wenzel R; Graselli U; Findl O; Eichler HG; Wolzt M; Schmetterer LInvestigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science 2000; 41:864-869
PURPOSE: There is evidence that ocular blood flow strongly depends on arterial oxygen tension. Results from recent animal studies indicate that the vasoconstrictor response to hyperoxia may be mediated in part by an increased production of endothelin (ET)-1. In an effort to answer the question of whether the retinal vasoconstrictive response to hyperoxia in humans is mediated through ET-1, changes in ocular hemodynamics induced by 100% O2 breathing were studied in the absence and presence of an ET(A) receptor antagonist (BQ-123). METHODS: The study was a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-masked, balanced, three-way crossover design. On separate study days, 15 healthy male subjects received infusions of BQ-123 (either 60 μg/min or 120 μg/min) or placebo. The effects of BQ-123 or placebo on hyperoxia-induced (100% O2 breathing) changes in retinal and pulsatile choroidal blood flow were assessed with the blue-field entoptic technique and with laser interferometric measurement of fundus pulsation, respectively. RESULTS: During baseline conditions, hyperoxia caused a decrease in retinal blood flow of between -29% and -34% (p < 0.001) and a decrease in fundus pulsation amplitude of between -7% and -8% (p < 0.001). BQ-123 dose dependently blunted the response to hyperoxia in the retina (60 μg/min: -25%, 120 μg/min: -20%; p=0.003), but not in the choroid. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that ET-1 contributes to hyperoxia-induced retinal vasoconstriction in the human retina.
Dr. S. Dallinger, Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Vienna University, Vienna, Austria
Classification:
6.11 Bloodflow measurements (Part of: 6 Clinical examination methods)
