Role of Endothelin-A (ETA) and Endothelin-B (ETB) Receptors in the Vasodilatory Response to Endothelin-3 (ET-3)

Summary

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) has been linked to a number of conditions including pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). ET-1 acts via 2 receptors, ETA and ETB. The ET-1 receptor blockers bosentan and sitaxsentan have been shown to be beneficial in patients with PAH. Bosentan blocks both ETA and ETB receptors. Sitaxsentan selectively blocks ETA receptors. Theoretically, selective ETA blockade may be associated with greater vasodilation and clearance of ET-1 by leaving the ETB receptor unblocked. This has not been directly studied in humans. We aim to investigate the endothelial ETB-mediated vascular responses between bosentan and sitaxsentan by using a ETB selective agonist (ET-3). We hypothesise that at clinically relevant doses: * Bosentan will show evidence of ETB receptor blockade compared to sitaxsentan and placebo. * These effects will be confirmed by 2 functional markers of ETB receptor antagonism: plasma ET-1 (a very sensitive, but not necessarily clinically relevant marker), and the forearm vasodilator response to ET-3.

Timeline

Start

2009-01

Primary completion

2009-09

Completion

2010-01

Drugs

Indications