This paper describes, in quantitative terms, the in vivo effects of two selective ETB-receptor agonists (IRL 1620 and BQ 3020) on vascular resistance (tone) in the following consecutive sections of the vascular bed of sympathectomized cat skeletal muscle: large-bore arterial resistance vessels (> 25 microns), small arterioles (< 25 microns) and the veins. The effects on capillary pressure transcapillary fluid exchange were also recorded. 2. Both IRL 1620 and BQ 3020, infused i.a. to the muscle preparation, evoked an initial transient dilator response followed by a moderate dose-dependent constrictor response, both being preferentially confined to the small arterioles. The dilator response was associated with a transient increase, and the constrictor response with a sustained decrease, in capillary pressure, the latter causing net transcapillary fluid absorption. The capillary filtration coefficient decreased during the constrictor response, indicating constriction of terminal arterioles/precapillary sphincters. 3. The vascular responses to the ETB-receptor agonists were unaffected by blockade of endothelium-derived nitric oxide (NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester) and by selective ETA-receptor blockade (FR139317). However, blockade of prostacyclin production with indomethacin decreased the amplitude of the dilator response, and decreased the time required to reach a steady-state vasoconstrictor response to the ETB-receptor agonists. 4. The effect of ETB-receptor stimulation on vascular tone was also evaluated in vitro on the cat femoral artery and vein. IRL 1620 had no effect on the femoral artery but caused a weak dose-dependent relaxation in the femoral vein. This large vein relaxation response seemed to be mediated by endothelium-derived nitric oxide and not by prostacyclin. 5. It may be concluded that ETB-receptor stimulation is responsible for the dilator response, and can contribute to the constrictor response, elicited by endothelins in cat skeletal muscle in vivo.
