The pharmacology of endothelin and its antagonist bosentan

Endothelin is one of the most potent vasoconstrictors known, but it also pl ays a role in inflammation, fibrosis and cellular hypertrophy. Endothelin i s a key pathogenic factor in congestive heart failure, essential hypertensi on and pulmonary hypertension. Bosentan is a specific mixed antagonist of e ndothelin receptors. Preclinical and clinical data suggest that bosentan mi ght become a new approach for the chronic treatment of these cadiovascular and pulmonary diseases.