Changes in endothelin-1 gene expression in the gastric mucosa of rats under cold-restraint-stress

• Published in: Chinese journal of digestive diseases 2004-02, Vol.5 (1), p.28-34
• Main Authors: Duan, Yi Min, Li, Zhao Shen, Zhan, Xian Bao, Xu, Guo Ming, Tu, Zhen Xing, Fang Gong, Yan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acute Disease; acute gastric mucosa lesion; Animals; Cold Temperature; Endothelin Receptor Antagonists; endothelin-1; Endothelin-1 - biosynthesis; Endothelin-1 - genetics; endothelin-α-receptor antagonist; Gastric Mucosa - blood supply; Gastric Mucosa - metabolism; gastric mucosa blood flow; Gene Expression; Male; Peptides, Cyclic - pharmacology; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Restraint, Physical; RNA, Messenger - metabolism; Stomach Ulcer - etiology; Stomach Ulcer - genetics; Stomach Ulcer - metabolism; Stomach Ulcer - physiopathology; stress ulcer; Stress, Physiological - genetics; Stress, Physiological - metabolism; Stress, Physiological - physiopathology
• ISSN: 1443-9611; 1443-9573
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1443-9573.2004.00149.x

OBJECTIVE:  To investigate in rats the role of endothelin (ET)‐1 gene expression in the development and progression of acute gastric mucosal lesions (AGML) induced by stress, and the effect of BQ‐123 (a special ETA receptor antagonist) on the AGML. METHODS:  A rat model of gastric ulcer induced by cold‐restraint‐stress (CRS) was used. ET‐1 concentrations in the plasma and gastric mucosa were determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA), gastric mucosa blood flow (GMBF) was measured with a laser Doppler flow meter, the ulcer index (UI) was used to estimate the degree of gastric mucosa damage and the expression levels of ET‐1 mRNA in the gastric mucosa were measured using dot blot and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR). Different doses of BQ‐123 were administered via the left femoral vein prior to the stress in order to observe the effects of BQ‐123 on the ET‐1 concentrations in the plasma and gastric mucosa, the GMBF and the UI. RESULTS:  Compared with the normal controls, the ET‐1 concentrations in the plasma and gastric mucosa of the stressed rats were increased significantly (P < 0.05), the GMBF was decreased markedly (P