Noise-induced elevations of plasma endothelin (ET-3)

Abstract

The endothelins (ETs) are a novel family of peptides which participate in hemodynamic homeostasis. Elevated levels of circulating ETs are evident in several stress related conditions and are associated with a variety of vascular pathophysiologics. The purpose of the current study was to test the possibility that plasma concentrations of endothelin increase following noise exposure using radioimmunoassay (RIA). No difference in plasma endothelin was detected in rats subjected to brief noise exposure (30 min of 100 dB SPL broad-band noise) compared to control animals. Statistically significant elevations in plasma endothelin (ET-3) were measured in animals exposed to prolonged noise exposure (90 min and 72 h of 100 dB SPL broad-band noise). These results suggest that hemodynamic alterations, and potential vascular pathophysiologies accompanying prolonged exposure to noise are mediated by endothelin.