Does altered regulation of ecNOS in sinusoidal endothelial cells determine increased intrahepatic resistance leading to portal hypertension?
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Endothelium↗
Biomedical subjects
M G Clemens
Publications and source records attributed to M G Clemens.
Involvement of lipid peroxidation in free fatty acid-induced isolated rat pancreatic acinar cell injury.
It was reported that free fatty acids degraded from triglycerides by lipase may play a major role in acute necrotizing or hyperlipidemia-induced pancreatitis. We hypothesized that this injury may be related to the peroxidation of cell membrane phospholipids and tested this hypothesis using isolated pancreatic acini. Pancreatic acini were prepared from male Sprague-Dawley rats by collagenase digestion. Linoleic acid was added (0.1-1.0 mM) to the acinar cell suspension to induce cell injury. Acinar cell damage was measured by lactate dehydrogenase release and by trypan blue exclusion. Phosphatidylcholine hydroperoxide and alpha-tocopherol in the acinar cells were measured. Protective effects of alpha-tocopherol (0.5, 5.0 mM) against this type of cell injury were also evaluated. When isolated acinar cells were treated with linoleic acid, a significant decrease in viability was observed in a time- and dose-dependent manner. In addition, the levels of phosphatidylcholine hydroperoxide after treatment of 0.5 mM of linoleic acid were increased and levels of alpha-tocopherol were decreased significantly. alpha-Tocopherol significantly ameliorated both cellular injury (p < 0.01) and increases in phosphatidylcholine hydroperoxide (p < 0.01). These data suggest that lipid peroxidation of the cellular membrane is an important component of the pancreatic cell injury mediated by free fatty acids.
Animals↗
Remodeling of hepatic microvascular responsiveness after ischemia/reperfusion.
Although there is substantial evidence suggesting that the integrity of the microcirculation is an important determinant of tissue viability during reperfusion after ischemia in the liver, as well as other tissues, the mechanisms responsible for microvascular failure are not fully understood. It is now recognized that the microvascular response to reperfusion, similar to the whole organism response to shock, can consist of either a rapid exacerbation of injury after a severe ischemic episode or, alternatively, a more slowly developing alteration in responsiveness that occurs after a less severe insult. In the more slowly developing response, the alterations in vascular status are the result of up-regulation of stress-induced vascular mediators such as endothelin, nitric oxide synthase (NOS), and heme oxygenase, as well as changes in the reactivity of the effector cells to the mediators. The mechanisms for change in reactivity of vascular cells range from changes in receptor expression to overt phenotypic transformation, as can occur in the hepatic stellate cells in response to repeated injury. When maintained in balance, these counteracting constrictor and dilator influences can be protective; however, local imbalance can result in focal ischemia, thus propagating the injury. Thus, the remodeling of the hepatic microvascular responsiveness during reperfusion after ischemia may serve as a useful paradigm for consideration of the overall response of the organism to shock.
Animals↗
Regulation of hepatic blood flow during resuscitation from hemorrhagic shock: role of NO and endothelins.
We determined the role of nitric oxide (NO) and endothelins (ETs) in the regulation of hepatic blood flow during resuscitation from hemorrhagic shock (HS) in anesthetized rats. Volume resuscitation restored systemic hemodynamics and increased hepatic arterial and portal venous flow above baseline in the vehicle group. Presence of N omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 1 mg/kg) during resuscitation increased systemic vascular resistance (SVR) above baseline, prevented the restoration of hepatic arterial flow, and abolished portal hyperemia. Although the ETA+B-receptor antagonist bosentan (10 mg/kg) did not alter the systemic hemodynamic response, it abolished the hepatic arterial and portal hyperemia. The ETA-receptor antagonist BQ-610 (150 micrograms/kg) reduced SVR below baseline, allowed hepatic arterial hyperemia to occur, and further enhanced the portal venous hyperemia. This indicates that 1) NO reduces SVR and acts to preserve hepatic blood flow during resuscitation from HS; 2) ETA-receptor-mediated vasoconstriction counteracts the systemic and portal hemodynamic effects of NO; and 3) simultaneous ETB-receptor stimulation enhances blood flow to the liver and may serve to modulate the ETA-receptor-mediated vasoconstrictive effects of ETs.
Animals↗
Posttranscriptional regulation of connexin 32 expression in liver during acute inflammation.
Gap junctions mediate the communication between adjacent cells in tissues. In the liver, connexin 32 (Cx32) subunits make up the predominating gap junctions. The expression of Cx32 gene has been observed to be down-regulated in response to inflammatory states and during liver regeneration. In the present study we attempt to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the down-regulation of the Cx32 expression during acute inflammation. A decrease in the level of Cx32 mRNA in rat liver occurred between 3 and 6 h after intravenous administration of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), simultaneously with the induction of an acute inflammatory response characterized by an increase in the level for beta-fibrinogen and a reduction of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase mRNA. The reduction in Cx32 steady-state mRNA levels appears to occur at the posttranscriptional level, since the rate of degradation of this message seems to be higher than the rate of transcription of the gene. Degradation of Cx32 mRNA was blocked by the administration of actinomycin D, but not by cycloheximide, prior to injection of LPS. The stabilization of Cx32 message by actinomycin D correlated with the preservation of Cx32 on the cell surface, which otherwise disappears after administration of LPS alone. These results suggest that cellular communication via gap junctions could be regulated at the level of gene expression, by a posttranscriptional mechanism, during acute inflammatory states.
Acute Disease↗
Mechanisms of inflammatory liver injury: adhesion molecules and cytotoxicity of neutrophils.
During recent years, increasing experimental evidence has suggested that hepatic nonparenchymal cells, in particular Kupffer cells and neutrophils, can contribute significantly to the pathogenesis of liver injury in various chemical toxicities. Neutrophils are central to the mechanism of injury after hepatic ischemia reperfusion and endotoxemia. In this symposium summary, an overview of critical aspects of neutrophil-dependent liver injury is presented. A general introduction to the involvement of adhesion molecules in neutrophil rolling and transendothelial migration is provided. Mediators and mechanisms of neutrophil sequestration in the liver vasculature, extravasation, and adherence-dependent cytotoxicity are discussed using the examples of endotoxin-induced hepatic failure and ischemia-reperfusion injury. These processes involve a complex network of inflammatory mediators including cytokines, chemokines, and lipid-derived compounds. The role of neutrophil-derived cytotoxic mediators, e.g., reactive oxygen and proteases, in the molecular mechanisms of parenchymal cell injury is discussed. Furthermore, interactions between neutrophils and contractile, perisinusoidal, stellate cells that influence microvascular blood flow in the liver are discussed. Results of these and other investigations are leading to increased understanding of the complex interactions between neutrophils and tissues that result in injury.
Animals↗
Gadolinium chloride alters the acinar distribution of phagocytosis and balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines.
Gadolinium chloride (GdCl3) is commonly used to deplete the liver of Kupffer cells (KC) and has been shown to decrease hepatic phagocytic activity and to abolish hepatic expression of certain KC-specific antigens. However, the exact fate of the KCs after GdCl3 treatment remains unclear. To determine if GdCl3 actually decreases the total number of KCs in the liver, we labeled phagocytically-active KC by administering fluorescent-labeled latex beads to rats treated with either normal saline or GdCl3. Total hepatic fluorescence and the distribution of fluorescence within liver acini were evaluated by intravital microscopy. Hepatic mRNA levels of KCR, a KC-specific gene product, and Pu-1, a ubiquitous monocyte gene product, were assessed by Northern blot analysis, and differences in the expression of pro-inflammatory (tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha) and anti-inflammatory (interleukin (IL)-10) cytokines were assessed by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Our results indicate that GdCl3 does not significantly reduce the number of phagocytically active cells in the liver, but alters the acinar distribution of these cells and may provoke a switch in the KC phenotype such that these cells no longer express KCR or IL-10. GdCl3 pretreatment inhibited stress-related induction of IL-10, but failed to down-regulate expression of TNF-alpha. This phenotypic change is likely to have important consequences because it permits relative overexpression of TNF-alpha.
Animals↗
Evidence for a functional link between stress response and vascular control in hepatic portal circulation.
Heme oxygenase (HO)-derived carbon monoxide (CO) may contribute to vascular control through elevation of guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate. In the present study, we investigated the functional significance of expression of the isoenzyme HO-1 (heat-shock protein 32) in liver after hemorrhage/resuscitation (H/R) in rats anesthetized with pentobarbital sodium. An increase of mRNA levels for HO-1 was observed at 3 h after resuscitation, followed by induction of the protein at 6 h in pericentral hepatocytes and sinusoidal lining cells. Concomitantly, lower portal resistance was observed in H/R (0.33 +/- 0.060 mmHg.ml-1.min) compared with control rats (0.47 +/- 0.035 mmHg.ml-1.min). Blockade of the HO-CO pathway by tin protoporphyrin-IX (SnPP-IX) led to a transient increase in portal pressure with no effect on portal low in controls, whereas an increase in pressure and a decrease in flow contributed to the sustained increase in portal resistance after H/R. These results indicate that HO contributes to maintenance of hepatic perfusion in vivo under stressful conditions, suggesting a functional link between stress response and vascular control in portal circulation.
Animals↗
Endotoxin pretreatment enhances portal venous contractile response to endothelin-1.
To test whether endotoxin pretreatment modulates the portal hemodynamic response to endothelin (ET)-1 and phenylephrine (PE), two potent vasoconstrictors in the portal circulation of the normal liver, rats received intraperitoneal injections of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 1 mg/kg body wt) or saline. Livers were isolated after 6 or 24 h and perfused with Krebs buffer containing 5% autologous erythrocytes. Analyses of portal pressure-flow (P-Q) relationships and epifluorescence video microscopy were performed before and after ET-1 (10(-9) M) or PE (10(-5) M) administration. LPS pretreatment increased total portal resistances (Rt), zero-flow pressures (PQ = 0), and linear regression slopes of P-Q relationships, and decreased the sinusoidal diameters (Ds) and sinusoidal volumetric flow (Qv). The response to ET-1 was enhanced 6 and 24 h after LPS administration, leading to greater increases in Rt, PQ = 0, and slope and more pronounced decreases in Dx, red blood cell velocity (VRBC), and Qv. In contrast, PE effects were similar (PQ = 0, slope, Ds) or even attenuated (Rt, VRBC, Qv) in livers from LPS-treated compared with control animals. Thus endotoxin pretreatment increased the portal contractile response to ET-1 but not to PE. This enhanced ET-1 response appeared to occur at sinusoidal and presinusoidal levels and may contribute to endotoxin-induced hepatic microcirculatory failure.
Animals↗
A time-dependent balance between endothelins and nitric oxide regulating portal resistance after endotoxin.
To test whether endothelins are involved in the regulation of portal resistance after endotoxin pretreatment and whether their effects are modulated by nitric oxide (NO), rats received intraperitoneal injections of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 1 mg/kg body wt) or saline. Six and twenty-four hours later, livers were isolated and perfused. Analyses of portal pressure-flow (P-Q) relationships and epifluorescence microscopy were performed before and after administration of 1) the NO synthesis inhibitor N omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 10(-3) M), followed by L-arginine (2 x 10(-3) M), or 2) the endothelin ETA/ETB-receptor antagonist bosentan (2 x 10(-4) M), followed by L-NAME (10(-3) M). LPS pretreatment increased all measures of resistance, which included total portal resistance, zero flow, incremental resistance (slopes of P-Q relationship), and sinusoid resistance. L-NAME had no effect in sham controls but increased all measures of resistance at 6 h after LPS and increased total and incremental resistance 24 h after LPS. L-Arginine reversed these changes. Bosentan reduced total and sinusoid resistance slightly in control livers and caused substantial reductions in all measures of resistance at 6 and 24 h after LPS; these were partially reversed after L-NAME at 6 but not at 24 h. Our data support the hypothesis that a critical balance between endothelin-mediated vasoconstrictor influences and NO-mediated vasodilator influences controls portal resistance after endotoxin pretreatment.
Animals↗
Zonal heterogeneity of hepatic injury following shock/resuscitation: relationship of xanthine oxidase activity to localization of neutrophil accumulation and central lobular necrosis.
Post-ischemic hepatic injury is characterized by zonal heterogeneity of injury (central lobular necrosis), sinusoidal neutrophil accumulation, and injury generated by reactive oxygen metabolites. We evaluated the role of the heterogeneous distribution of hepatic xanthine oxidase in the generation of neutrophil accumulation and consequent hepatocellular injury in rats subjected to shock [controlled hemorrhagic hypotension (mean arterial pressure = 37.5 + or - 2.5 mmHg for 120 min)], with or without subsequent resuscitation and hemodynamic stabilization, compared with sham-operated rats. Shock/resuscitation produced striking neutrophil accumulation (assayed by esterase histochemistry) in the pericentral sinusoids, associated with centrolobular necrosis. This paralleled the pericentral distribution of xanthine oxidase (determined by histochemical assay of frozen sections) and its release from the liver into the circulation at resuscitation. Pretreatment with allopurinol inhibited hepatic xanthine oxidase activity, neutrophil accumulation, and pericentral hepatocyte necrosis in shock/resuscitation in rats. These findings suggest that reactive oxygen metabolites generated by heterogeneously distributed xanthine oxidase may contribute to the heterogeneity of hepatocellular injury in "ischemic hepatitis."
Animals↗
Reciprocal expression of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and acute phase genes during acute inflammation.
Part of the hepatic response to injury is mediated by the expression of a gene family known as acute phase genes. Expression of acute phase genes is induced by the presence of cytokines in the circulation such as tumor necrosis factor alpha, interferon gamma, and interleukins-1 and -6. Simultaneous with the transcription of acute phase genes, there is a decrease in the expression of other genes such as albumin. In the present study, we report the decrease in transcription of the gene coding for phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), a key regulatory enzyme in the gluconeogenic pathway, in rat liver during an acute inflammatory state induced by bacterial endotoxin. Steady-state mRNA levels of PEPCK decrease 3 h after endotoxin injection, returning to 70% of normal levels after 24 h. This decrease in PEPCK mRNA levels was due to a decline in the rate of transcription of the gene, most likely mediated by an increase in the circulating levels of insulin. However, expression of the PEPCK gene was not induced by an increase in the cellular levels of cAMP during inflammation. Such a lack of response to cAMP may be due to the inactivation of, or decrease in, the levels of the transcriptional factor(s) responsible for PEPCK transcription.
Animals↗
Delayed "spontaneous" adhesion of leukocytes to rat mesenteric venules is dependent upon reactive oxidants.
We investigated the role of reactive oxygen metabolites (ROMs) as potential mediators of delayed "spontaneous" leukocyte adhesion to rat mesenteric venules after the manipulation for in vivo microscopy. Rats were anesthetized via tail vein and prepared for intravital microscopic viewing of a segment of mesenteric venule. Leukocyte rolling, adhesion, and emigration were quantitated every 30 min for 3 h. Intravital observation immediately after routine gentle manipulation revealed a substantial leukocyte rolling and a small number of adherent and emigrated leukocytes. This rolling leukocyte flux then declined to a minimal level for 60 min. The number of adherent and emigrated leukocytes did not change during the initial 90 min. After 120 min, the flux of rolling leukocytes, and adherent and emigrated leukocyte number began to increase and reached significant levels at 180 min. To determine the possible role of ROMs in this "spontaneous" adhesion, rats were treated continuously with superoxide dismutase (SOD) plus catalase given intravenously over 3 h. Rolling leukocyte flux after 120 min was significantly attenuated by SOD plus catalase. SOD + catalase also significantly inhibited delayed leukocyte adhesion and emigration. Allopurinol substantially inhibited xanthine oxidase activity but had no significant effects on the above parameters of neutrophil dynamics. These findings suggest that ROMs, probably derived from a source other than xanthine oxidase, constitute important mediators of "spontaneous" leukocyte adhesion in rat mesenteric venules.
Allopurinol↗
Chronic ethanol consumption exacerbates liver injury following hemorrhagic shock: role of sinusoidal perfusion failure.
Although the deleterious effect of chronic ethanol consumption on subsequent stressful events has long been recognized, the pathophysiological mechanisms are incompletely understood. This study tested whether chronic ethanol consumption in doses that increase sinusoidal contractility increases susceptibility to hepatic microvascular failure and liver injury after hemorrhagic shock. Liver microcirculation was assessed by in vivo microscopy during hemorrhage and up to 24 h after onset of resuscitation and was compared with liver histology and serum enzyme levels. Mean sinusoidal blood flow was neither impaired by chronic ethanol feeding at baseline nor during hemorrhage and early resuscitation. However, failure of individual sinusoids to conduct flow was observed more frequently after fluid resuscitation in ethanol-fed animals (e.g. at 1 h after onset of volume therapy: 26% of sinusoids) than in controls (11%), reflecting substantial flow heterogeneity. Failing sinusoids had substantially smaller diameters than sinusoids conducting flow with a more profound and sustained response in ethanol-fed rats. At 24 h marked pericentral necrosis and increase in serum alanine aminotransferase levels were observed in six of nine surviving ethanol-fed animals but only in 1 of 10 pair fed controls and correlated with microvascular failure. These data suggest that early as well as late microvascular failure in this model of hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation is primarily mediated at the level of individual sinusoids. Chronic ethanol feeding exacerbates microvascular and hepatocellular injury after shock/resuscitation, probably involving increased sinusoidal contractile responsiveness.
Alanine Transaminase↗
Vessel- and target cell-specific actions of endothelin-1 and endothelin-3 in rat liver.
We studied the sinusoidal and extrasinusoidal constrictor response of hepatic microcirculation to endothelin-1 (ET-1) and endothelin-3 (ET-3) and the possible role of Ito cells vs. Kupffer cells or endothelial cells in mediating this response, using isolated rat livers under high-power intravital microscopy. Rats were pretreated by injection of 2.6 x 10(8) fluorescent latex beads (1 micron) intravenously to label Kupffer cells. Three hours later livers were isolated and perfused before and during the infusion of 1 nM ET-1 or ET-3 with or without the endothelin type A (ETA) receptor antagonist BQ-123 or ETB antagonist IRL-1038. Alternatively, the perfused livers were infused with the ETB agonist sarafotoxin 6c (S6c, 1 or 5 nM). Sinusoid diameters were quantitated at the sites of Ito cells (identified by vitamin A fluorescence) or Kupffer cells (phagocytosed fluorescent latex beads) or where neither cell type was found (endothelial cells). ET-1 was found to induce significant sinusoid constriction at the sites of Ito cells (13.21 +/- 0.58 microns control vs. 10.47 +/- 0.48 microns during ET-1 infusion) but not at the sites of Kupffer cells or endothelial cells (13.26 +/- 0.79 vs. 12.92 +/- 0.61 microns and 12.20 +/- 0.71 vs. 11.98 +/- 0.40 microns, respectively), whereas neither ET-3 nor S6c had any effect on sinusoid narrowing, despite a 1.8-fold (ET-3) or 5.6-fold (5 nM S6c) greater increase in total portal resistance compared with ET-1.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Animals↗
Reactive oxidants mediate TNF-alpha-induced leukocyte adhesion to rat mesenteric venular endothelium.
We investigated the role of reactive oxygen metabolites (ROMs) as potential mediators of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)-stimulated neutrophil adhesion to rat mesenteric venules in vivo, using intravital microscopy and fixed whole mount preparations of mesentery. Intraperitoneal injection of TNF-alpha significantly increased leukocyte rolling, adhesion, and emigration in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Leukocyte adhesion and emigration, but not rolling, were significantly attenuated by prior intravenous administration of monoclonal anti-intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). Rolling leukocyte flux was significantly attenuated by intravenous preadministration of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, or both. Only catalase or SOD plus catalase significantly inhibited leukocyte adhesion. Catalase alone inhibited emigration. Moreover, postadhesive treatment with catalase but not SOD, 4 h after TNF-alpha administration reduced the flux of rolling (but not adherent) leukocytes that had previously increased in response to TNF-alpha. Intragastric allopurinol (50 mg/kg at 3 and 18 h before TNF-alpha administration) or 3 wk of a tungsten-enriched diet substantially inhibited xanthine oxidase activity but had no significant effects on the above parameters of neutrophil dynamics. In parallel experiments using fixed whole mount preparations of the mesoappendix stained specifically for neutrophil esterase, neutrophil adhesion 2 h after TNF-alpha administration was also inhibited by continuous intravenous administration of catalase but not by SOD, intragastric allopurinol, or tungsten diet. These findings suggest that ROMs, apparently not from xanthine oxidase, are important mediators of TNF-alpha-induced upregulation of neutrophil adhesion in rat mesenteric venules.
Allopurinol↗
Sepsis-induced attenuation of glucagon and 8-BrcAMP modulation of the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase gene.
Sepsis is associated with alterations in hepatic gluconeogenesis. We have previously demonstrated that this change is associated with reduced expression of the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) gene, despite an endogenous hormonal milieu that should favor increased expression of the gene. To further elucidate the mechanisms involved, we induced sepsis in fasted Sprague-Dawley rats via cecal ligation and single puncture, with sham-operated animals serving as controls, and we performed two sets of experiments. First, liver tissue was obtained from septic and sham-operated animals at 2, 6, 16, and 24 h after the induction of sepsis. Northern blot hybridization analysis revealed a progressive, sepsis-induced decrease in expression of PEPCK and an increase in the expression of beta-fibrinogen, an acute-phase reactant. In the second set of experiments, we tested whether this reduced expression resulted from an attenuated response to 1) glucagon and 2) 8-bromoadenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (8-BrcAMP). Twenty-four hours after the induction of sepsis, the liver was isolated and perfused with either Krebs buffer with substrate only (unstimulated controls), Krebs buffer + substrate + 10(-8) M glucagon, or Krebs buffer + substrate + 10(-5) M 8-BrcAMP. In sham-operated animals, perfusion with glucagon increased PEPCK mRNA levels and activity, whereas perfusion with buffer alone did not change mRNA levels and decreased activity. Glucagon perfusion of septic livers did not change either PEPCK mRNA levels or activity. Perfusion of sham-operated animals with 8-BrcAMP increased PEPCK mRNA levels and activity, whereas perfusion with buffer alone resulted in a decrease in mRNA levels and activity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate↗
Chronic ethanol consumption increases hepatic sinusoidal contractile response to endothelin-1 in the rat.
Recent evidence suggests that hepatic stellate cells function as liver-specific pericytes that are highly contractile in response to endothelin-1 (ET-1). Liver injury has been shown to lead to "activation" of stellate cells producing a phenotypic change to a more myofibroblastic cell type including loss of vitamin A and increased contractility. The present study was undertaken to test the effects of short-term chronic ethanol consumption (36% of total calories for 5 weeks according to the Lieber-DeCarli protocol) on hepatic vitamin A storage, expression of smooth muscle alpha-actin, and sinusoidal contractility in Sprague-Dawley rats. Using in vivo epifluorescence video microscopy, we quantified the number of sites of vitamin A fluorescence (purportedly stellate cells) and assessed sinusoidal microhemodynamics at baseline and during a 20-minute infusion period of ET-1 (1 pmol * 100 g body weight [bw]*1*min-1). Retinol and retinyl palmitate were measured after the experiment by means of high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). A highly significant decrease in liver retinyl palmitate level (control: 622.5 +/- 50.9; ethanol: 273.0 +/- 38.0 microgram/g liver; P< .001) was found that correlated with a decrease in sites of vitamin A fluorescence (control: 531.4 +/- 76.1; ethanol: 141.1 +/- 30.2* mm-2; r = .82, P <.001). Concomitantly scattered expression of smooth muscle alpha-actin in sinusoids was observed. Although sinusoidal hemodynamics were not affected at baseline, a significant increase in sinusoidal contractility on endothelin-1 infusion (e.g., sinusoidal resistance [% of baseline value]: control: 10 minutes: 288.7 +/- 71.7, 20 minutes: 200.5 +/- 46.9; ethanol: 10 minutes: 1,916.0 +/- 701.7, 20 minutes: 656.8 +/- 103.3; P < .05 and .01, respectively) was observed. These data indicate that chronic ethanol consumption in this moderate model initiates stellate cell activation. Increased sinusoidal responsiveness to the vasoconstrictor ET-1 in vivo may contribute to the increased susceptibility of ethanol-fed rats to secondary stresses that increase ET-1 expression, such as endotoxemia.
Actins↗