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Obstetrics & Gynecology 2005;106:818-823
© 2005 by The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
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ORIGINAL RESEARCH

Effects of Exogenous Big Endothelin-1 on Regional Blood Flow in Fetal Lambs

Keiya Fujimori, MD, Shinya Honda, MD, Minoru Sanpei, MD and Akira Sato, MD

From the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan.

OBJECTIVE: Endothelin-1, a 21 amino acid polypeptide produced by vascular endothelial cells, has potent vasoactive properties. The purpose of this study was to estimate the effects of exogenous big endothelin-1 on fetal lamb circulation.

METHODS: Regional blood flow was measured by the colored microsphere technique during continuous infusion (60 minutes) of big endothelin-1, or saline (control), in 12 chronically instrumented sheep fetuses.

RESULTS: After 60 minutes of big endothelin-1 administration, the fetal plasma endothelin-1 concentration increased significantly from 24.0 ± 6.7 to 49.7 ± 31.4 pg/mL (P = .018) without significant changes in fetal arterial blood gases. Continuous infusion of big endothelin-1 decreased blood flow in most organs except the brain and the heart. After the big endothelin-1 infusion, the blood flow to the brain significantly increased from 158 ± 51 to 174 ± 71 mL/min/100 g (P = .002); the blood flow to the heart also increased significantly from 171 ± 95 to 200 ± 112 mL/min/100 g (P = .001), respectively.

CONCLUSION: Continuous infusion of endothelin-1 decreases blood flow in most of organs except the brain and the heart. It is likely that endothelin-1 plays an important role in fetal redistribution of blood flow.






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