Abstract
Density, affinity, and subtype distribution of endothelin-1 (ET-1) binding sites were determined in rat cardiac tissue as a function of age in order to evaluate the association of alterations in the endothelin receptor system and aging in the heart. A significant decrease in the receptor subtype ET-A, which represents 70% to 80% of the total receptor population in cardiac tissue of 3- and 12-month-old rats, was observed in 24-month-old rats with respect to the younger groups. These findings indicate an alteration in ET-1 cardiac receptors associated with aging, mainly due to a variation in the receptor subtype distribution.
Notes
Right atrium:
∗24 months vs 1 month p < 0.001; vs 3 months p = 0.02; vs12 months p = 0.01 (Fisher's test after ANOVA).
Left ventricle:
24 months vs 1 month p < 0.001; vs 3 months p < 0.001; vs12 months p < 0.001 (Fisher's test after ANOVA).
Bmax, Kd and n H were obtained from competition experiments with ET-1.
ET-Aboth : ET-B were obtained from competition experiments with BQ123.