Endothelin and vascular function in liver disease.

The endothelins are a group of three related peptides with two receptor subtypes, ET(A) and ET(B). Following the discovery of endothelin 1 as a potent vasoconstrictor, there has been intense interest in the role of endothelin on vascular function in liver disease. Speculation on the role of endothelin in the pathogenesis of acute renal failure, including hepatorenal syndrome, has also been speculated.