Goal: Endothelin-1 (ET-1) switching in cytokines program and aghesive cascade at atherosclerosis. Object: 29 patients, suffering from atherosclerosis. The initial ET-1, SCAM: P-, E-selectins, ICAM-1, VCAM-1 levels and IL-1a, IL-1b, IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10 levels and their changes in response to high shear stress (shear rate 100/second, incubation for 6 hours at 37 C) and blood coagulation (incubation at 37 C for 6 hours also) were measured by ELISA kits. Results: ET-1 level was increased after both tests by unclear mechanisms of its releasing. The increased level of all researched molecules was detected without tests even. After shear stress the sP- and sE-selectins levels were significantly decreased, whereas their levels were strong correlated to ET-1. Conclusion: We hypothesized that the multiple mechanisms of cell-cell communication were switched on (ET-1 releasing and selctin reinternalization). The ET-1 were closely correlated to proinflammatory cytokines. We postulate that the ET-1 is active participant in cytokine- and sCAM-induced inflammatory repsonse at atherosclerosis.
