Abstract
Endothelin-1 (ET-1) may be a key mediator in the pathogenesis of laminitis, but endothelin-mediated responses in the venous microcirculation of the equine foot have yet to be fully characterised. The aim of this study was to characterise the response of equine laminar veins to ET-1 and evaluate the ET-1 receptor subtypes that mediate this response. Small veins (150–500 µm) draining the equine digital laminae from healthy horses and ponies subjected to euthanasia at an abattoir were investigated using wire myography. Concentration response curves were constructed for ET-1 in the presence of ETA (BQ123) and ETB (BQ788) receptor antagonists, and L-NAME, a nitric oxide synthase blocker. The selective ETB receptor agonist BQ3020 was investigated alone and following incubation with L-NAME, with or without BQ788.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 488-492 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Equine Veterinary Journal |
Volume | 40 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Jul 2008 |
Keywords
- equine biology
- laminar veins
- vascular
- laminitis
- endothelin-1