Endothelin-stimulated nitric oxide production in the isolated Kupffer cell

Katherine Stephenson, Anjana Gupta, Shamimunisa B. Mustafa, Glenn A. Halff

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

Endothelin (ET) is a potent peptide mediator exhibiting a wide variety of effects in both the parenchymal and nonparenchymal hepatic cells. In the Kupffer cell, ET activates several transmembrane signaling pathways to generate numerous second messengers including the phospholipase C-generated products inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate and diacylglycerol and the cyclooxygenase product prostaglandin Eg via specific ET(B)-type receptors. In addition to these findings, we have now demonstrated that endothelin stimulates the production of nitric oxide (NO) in the Kupffer cell in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Western blot analysis indicates that ET- stimulated NO production occurs though activation of the inducible form of the nitric oxide synthase enzyme. These findings have important implications as the stimulation of NO production by ET may be part of the physiological response to inflammation or infection. Elevated levels of ET and NO have been found to be associated with numerous hepatic pathophysiological conditions that may contribute to derangements in the vascular system seen in these conditions.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)149-154
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Surgical Research
Volume73
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1997

Keywords

  • Endothelin
  • Kupffer cell
  • Nitric oxide
  • Nitric oxide synthase

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery

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