2005•Zhonghua gan-dan waike zazhiRequires access
Relationship between expression of hepatic endothelin receptor mRNA and portal pressure in cirrhotic rats
Zhang Zhong-ta
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Abstract
Objective To investigate the relationship between the expression of hepatic endothelin (ET) receptor mRNA and portal pressure in carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4) induced cirrhotic rats. Methods After the model of liver cirrhosis was established by intragastric administration of CCl 4 in male adult SD rats, the expression of hepatic ETA and ETB receptor mRNA was determined by RT PCR and the portal pressure measured. Results The expression levels of both ETA (0 4245±0 0612 vs 0 2792±0 1115, n=8, P0 05) and ETB (0 5984±0 1047 vs 0 2938±0 1399, n=8, P0 05) receptor mRNA were significantly higher in cirrhotic rats than in the controls. Portal pressure was also significantly increased in the cirrhotic rats as compared with the controls (16 08±2 19 vs 8 25±2 56 cmH 2O, P0 05). ETA receptor mRNA (r=0 8074, P0 05) was positively correlated to portal pressure. Conclusions The expression of hepatic ETA and ETB receptor mRNA is significantly increased in CCl 4 induced cirrhotic rats and ETA receptor mRNA is significantly correlated to portal pressure. These suggest that the overexpression of ETA receptor mRNA may play an important role in the pathogenesis of portal hypertension.