Metabolic regulation of coronary vascular tone: role of endothelin-1

Coronary tone is determined by a balance between endogenously produced endothelin and metabolic dilators. We hypothesized that coronary vasodilation during augmented metabolism is the net result of decreased endothelin production and increased production of vasodilators. Isolated rat myocytes were stimulated at 0, 200, and 400 beats/min to modify metabolism. Supernatant from these preparations was added to isolated coronary arterioles with and without blocking vasoactive pathways (adenosine, bradykinin, and endothelin). Chronically instrumented swine were studied while resting and running on a treadmill before and after endothelin type A (ETA) receptor blockade. The vasodilatory properties of the supernatant increased with increased stimulation frequencies. Combined blockade of adenosine and bradykinin receptors abolished vasodilation in response to supernatant of stimulated myocytes. ETA blockade increased vasodilation to supernatant of unstimulated myocytes but did not affect dilation to supernatant of myocytes stimulated at 400 beats/min. In vivo, ETA blockade resulted in coronary vasodilation at rest, which waned during exercise. Thus endothelin has a tonic constrictor influence through the ETA receptor at low myocardial metabolic demand but its influence decreased during increased metabolism.