Endothelin‐1 and ET receptors impair left ventricular function by mediated coronary arteries dysfunction in chronic intermittent hypoxia rats

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) results in cardiac dysfunction and vascular endothelium injury. Chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH), the main characteristic of OSAS, is considered to be mainly responsible for cardiovascular system impairment. This study is aimed to evaluate the role of endothelin‐1(ET‐1) system in coronary injury and cardiac dysfunction in CIH rats. In our study, Sprague–Dawley rats were exposed to CIH (FiO(2) 9% for 1.5 min, repeated every 3 min for 8 h/d, 7 days/week for 3 weeks). After 3 weeks, the left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP) and coronary resistance (CR) were measured with the langendorff mode in isolated hearts. Meanwhile, expressions of ET‐1 and ET receptors were detected by immunohistochemical and western blot, histological changes were also observed to determine effects of CIH on coronary endothelial cells. Results suggested that decreased LVDP level combined with augmented coronary resistance was exist in CIH rats. CIH could induce endothelial injury and endothelium‐dependent vasodilatation dysfunction in the coronary arteries. Furthermore, ET‐1 and ET(A) receptor expressions in coronary vessels were increased after CIH exposure, whereas ET(B) receptors expression was decreased. Coronary contractile response to ET‐1 in both normoxia and CIH rats was inhibited by ET(A) receptor antagonist BQ123. However, ET(B) receptor antagonist BQ788 enhanced ET‐1‐induced contractile in normoxia group, but had no significant effects on CIH group. These results indicate that CIH‐induced cardiac dysfunction may be associated with coronary injury. ET‐1 plays an important role in coronary pathogenesis of CIH through ET(A) receptor by mediating a potent vasoconstrictor response. Moreover, decreased ET(B) receptor expression that leads to endothelium‐dependent vasodilatation decline, might be also participated in coronary and cardiac dysfunction.