Endothelin B receptor-mediated increase of cerebral blood flow in experimental pneumococcal meningitis

Study investigates the role of endothelin (ET) receptors in mediating early changes in cerebral blood flow—as measured by laser Doppler flowmetry (CBFLDF)—during experimental pneumococcal meningitis. Meningitis was induced with heat-killed pneumococci and confirmed by a significant increase in CBFLDF (baseline 100%; 225.3 ± 21.8% after 6 hours; mean ± SD), intracranial pressure (ICP), brain water content, and white blood cell count in the CSF. Intravenous administration of the selective endothelin B (ETB) receptor antagonist BQ-788 immediately before pneumococcal challenge (but not 4 hours afterward) significantly attenuated these pathophysiologic alterations (e.g., CBFLDF 6 hours after pneumococcal challenge: 116.7 ± 17.4%). Pretreatment with BQ-123, a selective endothelin A receptor antagonist, had no significant effect on ICP and brain water content, but augmented the increase in CBFLDF and CSF white blood cell count. Since ET is known to trigger the release of nitric oxide (NO) by ETB receptor activat...