Renal glomerular endothelin receptors in rats with high-output heart failure.

Plasma immunoreactive endothelin (irET) concentration and renal glomerular ET receptors were investigated in rats with chronic high-output heart failure. Plasma irET was higher (0.67 +/- 0.03 fmol/ml vs. 0.52 +/- 0.04 fmol/ml) and the density of glomerular ET receptors lower (Bmax: 420 +/- 20 fmol/mg protein vs. 510 +/- 12 fmol/mg protein) in rats with heart failure than in controls. Our results indicate that circulating ET levels are responsive to changes in cardiovascular hemodynamics and suggest a potential role for ET as a vasoactive regulatory peptide during heart failure.