In the present study we characterized the effects of and receptors for endothelins (ETs) in the guinea pig mesenteric arterial and venous vasculatures. Endothelin-1 (ET-1) (10-500 pmol) induced a dose-dependent increase of perfusion pressure of the arterial and venous beds. ET-2 (10-500 pmol) also induced a dose-dependent vasoconstriction on both sides of the mesenteric circulation but was less potent than ET-1. In contrast, ET-3 (10-1,000 pmol) and the selective ETB agonist IRL 1620 (1,000 pmol) were inactive. A nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor, L-NAME (200 microM), markedly potentiated the vasoconstrictor response to ET-1 (100 pmol arterial side; 1,000 pmol venous side) on both sides of the mesenteric vasculature. In precontracted mesenteric vessels, ET-1 (0.1-5 pmol) and IRL-1620 (1,000 pmol) induced a small yet significant vasodilation only on the arterial side. Furthermore, BQ-123 (1 microM), an ETA receptor antagonist, significantly reduced the ET-1-induced venoconstriction and completely blocked the vasoconstriction on the arterial side. Hence, the arterial and venous mesenteric vessels of the guinea pig respond to ETs by activation of ETA receptors. Furthermore, the endothelium may act as a physiologic barrier to the constrictor effects of ETs by basally releasing NO.