高原肺水肿患者血浆ET-1、TXB2及6-Keto-PGF1a水平的变化

内皮素 (ＥＴ 1 )、血栓素Ａ2 (ＴｘＡ2 )、前列环素 (ＰＧＩ2 )与心、肺疾病发病的关系受到了广泛重视 ,但在高原肺水肿 (ＨＡＰＥ)发病中的作用国内报道尚少。为此本研究测定了 8例ＨＡＰＥ患者的血浆ＥＴ 1含量以及ＴｘＡ2 、ＰＧＩ2 代谢产物血栓素Ｂ2 (ＴｘＢ2 )6 酮 前列腺素Ｆ1ａ(6 ｋｅｔｏ ＰＧＦ1ａ)含量变化 ,探讨其在ＨＡＰＥ发病中的变化及意义。1　材料与方法(1 )受试对象　 8例ＨＡＰＥ患者均来自海拔 430 0ｍ以上边防哨卡和新藏公路沿线民工 ,汉族男性 ,年龄 2 0～ 45岁 ,平均30 6岁 ,平原出生 ,进驻高原 3～ 5ｄ发病…     

电离辐射对内皮细胞分泌TXA2和PGI2的影响

本实验通过血管内皮细胞的体外培养,用RIA 法直接测定细胞培养液中,6-keto-PGF_(1a)和 TXB_2的含量并以此反映培养细胞合成分泌 PGI_2和 TXA_2的量。同时观察15Gyγ射线辐照前后的差别,以探索辐射损伤出血的原因。实验结果表明,在辐射后32小时中 TXA_2上升,PGI_2下降。正常组 PGI_2分泌量为 TXA_2的6倍。在血液内皮界面保持以 PGI_2为优势的平衡状态。γ-射线照射能激活内皮细胞中的环氧化酶和血栓素合成酶破坏这一平衡,使TXA_2的量增加,促使血小板在内皮细胞表面粘附聚集并释放平滑肌增殖因子,导致血管内皮细胞损伤,从而造成出血。     

慢性缺氧的猪肺动脉内皮细胞在急性缺氧时PDGF-B链mRNA的表达

采用原位杂交技术结合图象分析检测常氧(PO2±21.3kPa)及慢性缺氧(P025.3±0.7kPa)培养的猪肺动脉内皮细胞PDGF-BmRNA的表达及其对急性缺氧刺激的反应.结果常氧及慢性缺氧培养的肺动脉内皮细胞(PAEC)在急性缺氧后PDGF-BmRNA表达均增加(P＜0.05),以第4、6代慢性缺氧组升高的幅度更大.结果表明慢性缺氧可增强PAEC在急性缺氧时PDGF-BmRNA的表达,可能促进肺血管改建和肺动脉高压的发展.     

缺氧对肺动脉内皮细胞MMP-2、MMP-9表达的影响

目的观察缺氧对培养的猪肺动脉内皮细胞基质金属蛋白酶-2(MMP-2)、基质金属蛋白酶-9(MMP-9)的表达的影响.方法采用RT-PCR、Western blot、底物胶电泳(酶谱图)、免疫细胞化学等方法.结果肺动脉内皮细胞缺氧24h可使MMP-2的mRNA表达和蛋白分泌减少,酶活性减弱,与常氧组比较有显著性差异, MMP-9无明显变化.结论缺氧时MMP-2降低,溶解细胞外基质的能力降低,可能是缺氧性肺血管构型重组的机制之一.     

抗氧化剂和糖皮质激素抑制缺氧／复氧时肾小球血管内皮细胞ICAM—1的表达

细胞间粘附分子 1(Ｉｎｔｅｒｃｅｌｌｕｌａｒａｄｈｅｓｉｏｎｍｏｌｅｃｕｌｅ ｌ,ＩＣＡＭ 1)主要在内皮细胞表达 ,作为白细胞 β2 整合素家族的配体在中性粒细胞与内皮细胞紧密结合和随后进入缺血组织中起重要作用。通过降低ＩＣＡＭ 1的表达会减轻缺血 /再灌注损伤 ,这点已在多个脏器的动物实验中得到证实。已有研究发现糖皮质激素和抗氧化剂 ,能降低细胞因子刺激下升高的ＩＣＡＭ 1,本研究旨在探讨抗氧化剂二硫代氨基甲酸吡咯烷 (ｐｙｒｒｏｌｉｄｉｎｅｄｉｔｈｉｏｃａｒｂａｍａｔｅ ,ＰＤＴＣ)和糖皮质激素中的地塞米松 (Ｄｅｘ…     

慢性缺氧时心肌血流量的变化及一氧化氮和内皮素—1的调节作用

近年来国内外研究表明急性缺氧时心肌血流量明显增加 ,而慢性缺氧对心肌血流量的影响及其发生机制 ,目前国内外研究甚少 ,且结果不甚相同 ,因此探讨缺氧时心肌血流量的变化及其发生机制 ,对于评估缺氧时心肌供血状态 ,了解心脏高原适应具有理论和实际意义。因此 ,本文观察了慢性间断缺氧大鼠的心肌血流量、血浆、心肌组织ＮＯ(ｎｉｔｒｉｃｏｘｉｄｅ ,ＮＯ)和ＥＴ 1(ｅｎ ｄｏｔｈｅｌｉｎ 1,ＥＴ 1)的含量 ,以期探讨ＮＯ、ＥＴ 1改变、红细胞增多与心肌血流量变化的关系。1　材料和方法(1)实验动物　健康ｗｉｓｔａｒ成年大鼠 6 9只 ,雌雄…     

缺氧时培养的心内膜内皮细胞内皮素自分泌调节的探讨

本实验观察缺氧对心内膜内皮细胞（ＥＥＣ）内皮素－１（ＥＴ－１）分泌的影响。传代培养的新生小牛右心室ＥＥＣ的ＥＴ－１免疫组织化学显色强阳性。采用放免测定发现ＥＥＣ可向培养液中分泌ＥＴ－１,其分泌速度与细胞密度呈线性负相关（ｒ＝－０．９５４２,Ｐ＜０．００１）,与温育时间呈指数负相关（ｒ＝－０．９９８,Ｐ＜０．００１）。０％Ｏ２缺氧６～１２ｈ后,ＥＥＣ的ＥＴ－１分泌约增加１倍（Ｐ＜０．００１）。无论在常氧还是缺氧情况下,硝普钠抑制ＥＥＣ的ＥＴ－１分泌,而ＮＯ合酶抑制剂ＬＮＡ则促进ＥＴ－１分泌。上述结果表明：ＥＥＣ可能通过分泌ＥＴ－１调节心脏功能,内源性ＮＯ抑制ＥＴ－１分泌;缺氧可能显著影响ＥＥＣ的ＥＴ－１分泌     

Rac1蛋白活化加速缺氧诱导的人血管内皮细胞衰老

为阐明Rac1蛋白在人脐静脉内皮细胞（human umbilical vein endothelial cells,HUVECs）衰老中的作用及分子机制,我们采用持续缺氧的方法诱导内皮细胞衰老,检测缺氧前后内皮细胞衰老标志基因SA-β-Gal和PAI-1的表达、细胞周期分布和细胞增殖情况,同时分析缺氧前后细胞内Rac1蛋白的表达.结果显示,持续缺氧96 h后,HUVECs体积变大,细胞浆内颗粒和空泡增多,SA-β-Gal活性明显增加,PAI-1基因表达升高,细胞发生G1期阻滞,细胞增殖受抑,活化型Rac1蛋白表达上调,提示持续缺氧诱导的内皮细胞衰老可能与Rac1蛋白的活化有关.为进一步明确内皮细胞衰老与Rac1蛋白的关系,应用逆转录病毒将持续活化型Rac1（V12Rac1）和主导抑制型Rac1（N17Rac1）基因分别瞬时感染HUVECs,比较三种HUVECs（HUVECs,V12Rac1-HUVECs,N17Rac1-HUVECs）缺氧后的衰老变化,并分析其下游调控分子--血清反应因子（serum response factor,SRF）的表达和定位变化.研究发现,缺氧培养V12Rac1-HUVECs 48 h即可引起细胞衰老,表现为SA-β-Gal活性明显增加,PAI-1基因表达升高,细胞出现明显的G1期阻滞并且细胞增殖受抑,其改变与缺氧96 h的HUVECs相似;而N17Rac1明显抑制缺氧引起的内皮细胞衰老发生.上述结果说明,Rac1蛋白活化可以加速缺氧诱导的内皮细胞衰老,而抑制Rac1蛋白的活性则可抑制缺氧诱导的内皮细胞衰老.为进一步研究Rac1蛋白引起内皮细胞衰老的机制,通过免疫荧光染色及Western blot分析检测三种细胞缺氧处理后SRF的表达,发现：与HUVECs细胞比较,V12Rac1引起缺氧48 h HUVECs核蛋白中SRF的表达明显下降,SRF入核转位受到明显抑制;而N17Rac1感染后,缺氧HUVECs细胞核蛋白中SRF表达明显增多.上述结果提示：缺氧状态下Rac1蛋白活化能够明显加速HUVECs衰老,而抑制Rac1蛋白活性则明显抑制缺氧诱导的HUVECs衰老,SRF蛋白的核转位活化参与了Rac1蛋白调控HUVECs衰老的发生.     

缺氧复氧诱导脐静脉内皮细胞凋亡的机制

目的探讨缺氧复氧诱导人脐静脉内皮细胞凋亡发生的机制.方法体外培养人脐静脉内皮细胞,随机分为5组:缺氧0h(对照组)、3h、6h、12h、24h复氧组.向培养瓶内通入95%N2和5%CO2按不同时间孵育,随后通入5%CO2和95%空气复氧2h,建立内皮细胞缺氧复氧模型.采用台盼蓝染色、TUNEL技术对凋亡和死亡细胞进行定量分析,DNA电泳观察内皮细胞凋亡的形态学.Western blot检测细胞凋亡调节蛋白Bcl-2和Bax表达强度,同时检测丝裂原活化蛋白激酶(MAPK)中磷酸化ERK1/2的表达.采用凝胶成像分析系统灰度扫描检测蛋白质表达相对量.结果缺氧复氧后内皮细胞凋亡明显,而且内皮细胞凋亡数随缺氧时间延长而增多(P<0.05).Western blot表明缺氧复氧增强内皮细胞Bax的表达,对Bcl-2的表达量和磷酸化ERK1/2没有明显影响,使Bcl-2/Bax比值减小.结论缺氧复氧可以诱导内皮细胞凋亡,证实缺氧复氧上调促凋亡蛋白Bax的表达,对抑制凋亡蛋白Bcl-2的表达无显著影响.首次证实缺氧复氧诱导内皮细胞凋亡是取决于Bcl-2/Bax比值,而不是通过MAPK磷酸化途径.     

剪切应力对血管内皮细胞NO合成酶活性的影响及其机理探讨

目的：观测流体剪切应力对血管内皮细胞ＮＯ合成酶（ｎｉｔｒｉｃ ｏｘｉｄｅｓｙｎｔｈａｓｅ,ＮＯＳ）活性的影响并探讨其发生机制。方法：采用Ｇｒｉｅｓｓ 方法测定不同流体剪切应力作用下血管内皮细胞中ＮＯＳ活性的变化;并观测多种ＮＯＳ干预物质对这种变化的影响。结果：剪切应力显著提高血管内皮细胞中ＮＯＳ活性;地塞米松（ｄｅｘａｍｅｔｈａｓｏｎｅ）实验表明,剪切应力这种作用主要是通过对结构型ＮＯＳ活性的增强实现的,且具有明显的剂量和时间依赖性;放线菌酮（ｃｙｃｌｏｈｅｘｉｍｉｄｅ）非特异性地抑制细胞中ＮＯＳ酶蛋白合成,但ｃｙｃｌｏｈｅｘｉｍｉｄｅ 处理组中受剪切应力作用细胞ＮＯＳ活性仍显著高于其对照细胞,仅升高幅度明显降低。Ａ２３１８７ 处理后细胞中ＮＯＳ活性升高约达２ 倍,其中剪切应力作用细胞的ＮＯＳ活性显著高于其对照,但这种变化程度亦较Ａ２３１８７ 未处理组明显减小。结论：剪切应力显著提高血管内皮细胞ｅＮＯＳ活性：ｅＮＯＳ酶蛋白合成增加和细胞内Ｃａ２＋ 浓度的升高在剪切应力对血管内皮细胞ＮＯＳ活性的调节机制中具有重要意义     

Effects of hypoxia and hyperoxia on proteoglycan production by bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells

Bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells in culture were used to assess the influence of oxygen tension on proteoglycan synthesis. Cells exposed to 3% O2 (hypoxia) for 72 h and then labeled with [35S]sulfate for 5 h accumulated significantly less [35S]proteoglycan in medium than cells exposed to 20% O2 (control). This decrease was due primarily to a reduction in heparan sulfate. Cells exposed to 80% O2 (hyperoxia) for 72 h secreted slightly more [35S]proteoglycan into medium than controls. Greater accumulation of chondroitin sulfate was responsible for the increase. The amount of cell-associated proteoglycan did not change significantly in cells cultured in 3% or 80% O2 as compared with control cells cultured in 20% O2. Proteoglycans produced by hypoxia- or hyperoxia-treated cells were found to be similar in size to proteoglycans produced by cells cultured at 20% O2. Glycosaminoglycan sulfation, as measured by ion-exchange chromatography, did not appear to change with varying oxygen tensions. Our results demonstrate that production of proteoglycans secreted by endothelial cells in culture is sensitive to oxygen tension.     

Effects of cytochrome P450 inhibitors on agonist-induced Ca2+ responses and production of NO and PGI2 in vascular endothelial cells

The gap junction protein connexin-43 (Cx43) exists mainly in the phosphorylated state in the normal heart, while ischemia induces dephosphorylation. Phosphatase(s) involved in cardiac Cx43 dephosphorylation have not as yet been identified. We examined the acute effects of ischemia on the dephosphorylation of the gap junction protein connexin-43 in isolated adult cardiomyocytes and isolated perfused hearts. In addition we tested the effectiveness of protein phosphatase 1 and 2A (PP1/2A) inhibitors in preventing Cx43 dephosphorylation. In both models, significant accumulation of the 41 kDa non-phosphorylated Cx43, accompanied by decreased relative levels of the 43–46 kDa phosphorylated Cx43, was observed at 30 min of ischemia. Okadaic acid decreased ischemia-induced Cx43 dephosphorylation; it also decreased the accumulation of non-phosphorylated Cx43 at the intercalated discs of myocytes in the whole heart. Calyculin A, but not fostriecin, also decreased ischemia-induced Cx43 dephosphorylation in isolated cardiomyocytes. It is concluded that isolated adult myocytes respond to ischemia in a manner similar to whole hearts and that ischemia-induced dephosphorylation of Cx43 is mediated, at least in part, by PP1-like phosphatase(s).     

Association of endothelial microparticle with NO,eNOS, ET-1, and fractional flow reserve in patients with coronary intermediate lesions

Abstract

Endothelial microparticle (EMP) is a biomarker for endothelial dysfunction. The aim of this study is to investigate the utility of EMP in evaluating coronary intermediate lesions. Participants included 49 patients with coronary intermediate lesions and 24 subjects with normal coronary arteries. Among these subjects, 28 patients accepted fractional flow reserve (FFR). Results showed that level of EMP was significantly higher in the intermediate lesion group. No correlation was found between EMP and FFR value, suggesting that circulating EMP is a systemic marker rather than a focal one.     

Induction of adrenomedullin by hypoxia in cultured human coronary artery endothelial cells.

To explore the role of adrenomedullin (ADM) in pathophysiology of ischemic heart disease, we investigated the effects of hypoxia on the production and secretion of ADM in cultured human coronary artery endothelial cells. Treatment with hypoxia (5% CO2/94% N2/1% O2) for 6 and 12 h increased expression levels of ADM mRNA 2.2-fold and fivefold compared with the normoxia control, respectively. The levels of immunoreactive ADM in the media were increased by 12-h hypoxia about fivefold compared with the control (39.0+/-1.1 fmol/10(5) cells per 12 h under hypoxia and 7.9+/-0.4 fmol/10(5) cells per 12 h under normoxia; P<0.01, n = 4, mean +/- SEM). Reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography of the extracts of culture media under normoxia and hypoxia showed one major peak eluting in the position of human ADM standard. The production and secretion of ADM were increased in cultured human coronary artery endothelial cells under hypoxia. ADM may therefore play an important pathophysiological role in ischemic heart disease.     

Colocalization prostacyclin (PGI2) synthase--caveolin-1 in endothelial cells and new roles for PGI2 in angiogenesis

In vascular cells, prostacyclin (PGI2) synthase (PGI2s) has been localized in the endoplasmic reticulum of endothelial cells and in the nuclear and plasma membrane of smooth muscle cells. In human umbilical vein endothelial (HUVE) cells, we detected the enzyme in abundant cytoplasmic vesicles apparently originating from the plasma membrane and similar to those stained by gold-albumin, which interacts with a caveolar receptor. This prompted us to try a direct confocal microscopy approach aimed at colocalizing gold-albumin, caveolin-1, and PGI2 synthase. Moreover, the staining of HUVE cells with an anti-BiP7Grp78 antibody (a marker of endoplasmic reticulum) shows a perinuclear localization, sharply separated from PGI2 synthase localization. The results indicate that more than 80% of the enzyme resides in cellular sites costaining with caveolin-1 antibody and gold-albumin. This evidence was confirmed by the demonstration that PGI2 synthase and caveolin-1 coimmunoprecipitate in HUVE cell lysates and that they are associated to detergent-insoluble membrane domains in the same low-density fractions of a sucrose gradient. In addition, depletion of cellular cholesterol by mevalonate and methyl-beta-cyclodextrin leads to the shift of PGI2 synthase and caveolin-1 to higher density fractions of the gradient. Biochemical evidence about colocalization was supported by the use of a fusion protein glutathione S-transferase (GST)/caveolin-1, which retained either PGI2s purified from ram seminal vesicles or PGI2s present in HUVE cell lysates. Binding of PGI2s to caveolin "scaffolding domain" and to C-terminal region was deduced by using full-length GST--Cav-1, GST--Cav 61--101, and GST C- and N-terminal fusion proteins. A double approach based on the usage of filipin as a specific caveolae-disrupting agent and antisense oligonucleotides targeting PGI2 synthase mRNA suggests that the production of PGI2 in caveolae is likely to be connected to the regulation of angiogenesis, at least in vitro.     

吸烟对氨氯地平降压疗效及NO、ET-1、baPWV的影响

目的:评价吸烟对氨氯地平的降压疗效以及对内皮功能和baPWV的影响.方法:120例轻中度高血压患者,根据吸烟情况分为吸烟组(n=60)和不吸烟组(n=60),所有患者服用氨氯地平(5 mg,Qd)12周.观察两组患者的降压疗效以及治疗前后NO、ET-1、baPWV的变化.结果:治疗12周后,吸烟组与不吸烟组的降压总有效率分别为53％、60％,两组比较无统计学差异;治疗前吸烟组与不吸烟组NO浓度分别为272.96± 48.62 (μmol/L)、318.42± 44.17 (μmol/L),ET-1浓度分别为432.22± 50.78(μg/L)、342.75± 43.81 (μg/L),baPWV分别为1857.9± 214.2 (cm/s)、1630.3± 110.0 (cm/s),上述指标组间比较均有显著统计学差异(P＜0.01);经治疗后上述指标较治疗前不吸烟组有统计学意义(治疗前后NO 318.42± 44.17 (μmol/L) vs 385.37± 58.45 (μmol/L);ET-1342.75± 43.81(μg/L) vs 258.49± 43.19 (μg/L);baPWV 1630.3±110.0(cm/s)vs 1573.9± 140.4 (cm/s)),而吸烟组无统计学差异(治疗前后NO 272.96± 48.62 (μmol/L) vs 289.87±48.63 (μmol/L);ET-1 432.22±50.78(μg/L)vs 423.31±47.43 (μg/L); baPWV1857.9±214.2(cm/s) vs 1804.5± 226.1 (cm/s)).结论:吸烟对氨氯地平降压疗效无明显影响,但吸烟影响氨氯地平改善内皮功能及baPWV的作用.     

缺氧对世居高原藏族人脐静脉内皮细胞ET和NO水平的影响

目的: 观察世居高原藏族人静脉血ET和NO含量和缺氧对培养脐静脉内皮细胞ET和NO水平的影响,以期从胎儿生长发育的角度探讨人类高原适应的机制.方法: 分别以放射免疫分析法和Greiss法测定世居高原藏族、移居高原汉族和平原汉族人静脉血ET和NO含量.体外培养世居高原藏族和移居高原汉族新生儿UVECs,分为4组:①世居高原藏族人UVECs常氧组(TC);②世居高原藏族人UVECs缺氧组(TH);③移居高原汉族人UVECs常氧组(HC);④移居高原汉族人UVECs缺氧组(HH),收集培养上清液测定ET和NO含量.结果: 世居高原藏族人静脉血NO水平显著高于移居高原汉族人,而ET水平显著低于移居高原汉族人.体外低氧(0.5% O2)条件培养12 h和24 h时,TH组ET浓度显著低于HH组,而HH组与TH组和HC组与TC组相应时间点之间的NO浓度差异无显著性意义.结论: 缺氧时世居高原藏族人UVECs ET分泌增高的程度较低,可能有助于保持相对低的血管张力,有利于胎儿血液供应.     

胰岛素促进血管内皮细胞产生一氧化氮的实验研究

目的：探讨胰岛素对血管内皮细胞增殖、NO产生和NOS基因表达的影响。方法：培养牛主动脉内皮细胞,测定培养上清液中NO氧化产物NO2^－的水平并应用定量RT－PCR技术检测内皮细胞NOS mRNA的表达水平。结果：①胰岛素对大血管内皮细胞无细胞毒作用,也不影响细胞增殖;②在1－15μg/ml浓度范围内,胰岛素加强内皮细胞释放NO,且呈剂量依赖的方式,NOS特异性抑制剂L－NAME可阻抑之;③胰岛素轻度增加NOS mRNA表达水平,但无统计学意义。结论：胰岛素既不影响大血管内皮细胞增殖,也不影响内皮细胞NOS mRNA表达水平,但以剂量依赖的方式加强内皮细胞产生NO,推测其诱导NO产生的机制可能是通过酶活性的诱导,加速NO的合成。     

急性低氧和间断低氧习服对HepG2细胞内血管内皮细胞生长因子基因表达的影响

目的:观察急性低氧和间断低氧习服对人HepG2细胞内血管内皮细胞生长因子(VEGF)及转录因子低氧诱导因子-1α(HIF-1α)的mRNA和蛋白含量的影响及其可能的生物学意义.方法:HepG2细胞随机分为常氧对照组,急性低氧组和间断低氧习服组.采用Northern blot和Western blot分别检测不同组别HepG2细胞内VEGF和HIF-1α mRNA表达和蛋白含量的变化.结果:急性低氧诱导HepG2细胞内VEGF和HIF-1α基因的转录,增加两种蛋白在细胞内的含量.间断低氧习服组的细胞内VEGF和HIF-1α的mRNA含量分别为常氧对照组细胞的(108.6±17.7)%和(116.74±19.8)%,与常氧对照组相比无显著差异(P＞0.05);而其蛋白表达的含量分别为对照组细胞的1.4和2.7倍,都明显低于急性低氧组细胞内两种蛋白的含量(P＜0.05).结论:HepG2细胞达到低氧习服状态后,抑制急性低氧对HepG2细胞内VEGF基因表达的促进作用,其中HIF-1α可能起着重要的调节作用.     

ET-1 receptor gene expression and distribution in L1 and L2 cells from hypertensive sheep pulmonary artery

We examined gene and surface expression and activity of the endothelin (ET)-1 receptors (ETA and ETB) in subendothelial (L1) and inner medial (L2) cells from the main pulmonary artery of sheep with continuous air embolization (CAE)-induced chronic pulmonary hypertension (CPH). According to quantitative real-time RT-PCR, basal gene expression of both receptors was significantly higher in L2 than L1 cells, and hypertensive L2 cells showed significantly higher gene expression of ETB than controls. Expression of both genes in hypertensive L1 cells was similar to controls. Fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis confirmed the increased distribution of ET(B) in hypertensive L2 cells. Although only the ETA receptors in control L2 cells showed significant binding of [125I]-labeled ET-1 at 1 h, both receptors bound ET-1 to hypertensive cells. Exposure to exogenous ET-1 for 18 h revealed that only the L2 cells internalized ET-1, and internalization by hypertensive L2 cells was significantly reduced when compared with controls. Treatment with ETA (BQ-610) and ETB (BQ-788) receptor antagonists demonstrated that both receptors contributed to internalization of ET-1 in control L2 cells, whereas in hypertensive cells only when both receptor antagonists were used in combination was significant suppression of ET-1 internalization found. We conclude that in sheep receiving CAE, alterations in ETB receptors in cells of the L2 layer may contribute to the maintenance of CPH via alterations in their expression, distribution, and activity.