目的 :探讨内皮素 - 1(ET - 1)在哮喘发病中的可能作用及心钠素 (ANF)对ET - 1水平的影响。方法 :采用放免法测定各组豚鼠支气管肺泡灌洗液 (BALF)和血浆ET - 1、ANF、cGMP含量。结果 :哮喘组豚鼠血浆及BALF中ET - 1、ANF、cGMP均显著高于对照组 ;哮喘组豚鼠血浆中ANF与ET - 1含量呈显著负相关 (r=-0 6 38,P <0 0 5 ) ;BALF中ET - 1与ANF含量呈高度负相关 (r =- 0 92 1,P <0 0 1)。哮喘组豚鼠血浆中ANF与cGMP含量呈显著正相关 (r =0 848,P <0 0 1) ,BALF中ANF与cGMP含量呈显著正相关 (r =0 831,P <0 0 1)。哮喘 +重组大鼠ANF(rANF)组豚鼠停止输注rANF后 30min ,血浆及BALF中ET - 1水平均明显低于哮喘组。cGMP水平显著高于哮喘组。结论 :ET - 1在哮喘的发病中可能有重要作用 ,ANF抑制ET - 1合成及分泌 Objective: To investigate the possible role of endothelin - 1 (ET - 1) in the pathogenesis of asthma and the effect of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANF) on the level of ET - 1. Methods: The levels of ET - 1, ANF and cGMP in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and plasma were determined by radioimmunoassay. Results: The levels of ET - 1, ANF and cGMP in plasma and BALF of asthmatic guinea pigs were significantly higher than those of the control group. There was a significant negative correlation between the levels of ANF and ET - 1 in asthmatic guinea pigs (r = -0.638, P <0 0 5). There was a highly negative correlation between ET - 1 and ANF in BALF (r = - 0 92 1, P <0.01). There was a significant positive correlation between ANF and cGMP contents in asthmatic guinea pigs (r = 0 848, P 0 01). There was a significant positive correlation between ANF and cGMP contents in BALF (r 0 831, P 0 01). The level of ET - 1 in plasma and BALF was significantly lower in the asthmatic + recombinant ANF (rANF) group than that in the asthma group 30 minutes after the rANF infusion was stopped. cGMP levels were significantly higher than the asthma group. Conclusion: ET - 1 may play an important role in the pathogenesis of asthma. ANF inhibits ET - 1 synthesis and secretion