GASTRIC FUNCTIONS IN PORTAL-HYPERTENSION - ROLE OF ENDOTHELIN

This study investigated the effects of portal hypertension on gastric motor and secretory functions and the role of endothelin in rats. Cont rol; sham-operated; endothelin-A receptor blocker, BQ 485 (1 mu g/kg)- treated; portal hypertensive; and portal hypertension +, endothelin-A receptor blocker-treated rats were subjected to tests of gastric secre tory, motor, and mucosal function studies as well as gastric wall poly morphonuclear infiltration. Portal hypertension was induced by partial portal vein ligation. Portal hypertension suppressed gastric acid and total fluid secretion and delayed gastric emptying. An increase in mu cosal permeability and no alteration in gastric wall myeloperoxydase a ctivity were observed, The effects of portal hypertension on gastric s ecretory, motor, and mucosal functions were reversed by treatment with endothelin-A receptor blocker, BQ-485. It is concluded that portal hy pertension suppresses the gastric motor and secretory functions and en dothelin plays an important role in the pathophysiology of gastric alt erations associated with portal hypertension.