Azione agonistica della trombina e dell’endotelina nella regolazione del tono vasomotore e broncomotore nel suino

To evaluate the role of thrombin and the involvement of endothelin-1 (ET-1) in regulation of bronchomotor and vascular tone, we used 18 anaesthetised, mechanically ventilated pigs, divided into three groups. Group 1 (n = 6) was treated with E. coli LPS (20 microng/kg/h for 180 min); group 2 (n = 6) was infused with a thrombin inhibitor and LPS was administered similarly to group 1; group 3 (n = 6) was pre-treated with a dual ET-1 receptors blocking agent (20 mg/kg i.v.), before endotoxic shock. In presence of the thrombin inhibitor, the LPS-dependent pulmonary hypertension was still present, also if it was less important, and the changes in C sub (L) and R sub (L) were similar to that observed in group 1. The dual block of ET-1 receptors, at contrary, completely abolished the pulmonary hypertension, the changes in C sub (L) and R sub (L), due to LPS infusion, but worsened the systemic hypotension