一氧化碳对大鼠离体肺动脉的舒张作用

本研究观察了一氧化碳 (CO)对离体大鼠肺动脉的舒张作用。制备Wistar大鼠肺动脉环 ,作出ACh浓度效应曲线之后 ,肺动脉环用一氧化氮合成酶抑制剂L NAME 3 0 μmol/L (n =10 )或血红素氧化酶抑制剂ZnPPIX 10μmol/L +L NAME 3 0 μmol/L (n =10 )孵育 3 0min ,再制备一个ACh的浓度效应曲线 ,观察ZnPPIX对ACh的浓度效应曲线的影响。另取一组肺动脉环 ,分为内皮完整组和去内皮组 ,观察外源性CO对肺动脉环张力的影响。结果表明 ,用L NAME孵育后 ,ACh的血管舒张反应受抑 ,最大抑制率为 5 0 4± 9 2 % ;用ZnPPIX +L NAME孵育后 ,ACh的血管舒张反应进一步受抑 ,最大抑制率为 84 4± 11 2 %。外源性CO无论对内皮完整组还是去内皮组肺动脉都有舒张作用。本研究提示 ,ZnPPIX可抑制ACh的内皮依赖性肺动脉舒张反应 ,CO是一个内皮源性的血管舒张因子 ,外源性CO可舒张肺动脉     

钙激活性氯离子通道在低氧性肺血管双相收缩反应中的作用

本文旨在探讨钙激活性氯离子通道(ClCa)在二级肺动脉血管低氧性肺血管收缩(hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction,HPV)中的作用。分离Sprague-Dawley(SD)雄性大鼠二级肺动脉血管,采用离体血管灌流法记录血管环张力变化。结果显示,常氧条件下,ClCa抑制剂尼氟灭酸(10和50μmol/L)和IAA-94(10μmol/L)使去甲肾上腺素收缩的二级肺动脉环血管产生明显的舒张反应(P0.01),但对KCl收缩的二级肺动脉环血管并无影响。低氧条件下1 h内,去甲肾上腺素预收缩的二级肺动脉血管环出现双相性HPV反应,KCl预收缩的血管环无双相性收缩反应。尼氟灭酸和IAA-9明显减弱II期收缩反应(均P0.01),对I期舒张反应也有显著减弱作用(均P0.01),但对I期收缩几乎无影响。以上结果提示,ClCa是二级肺动脉血管双相性收缩反应II期收缩形成的一个重要因素,而在I期收缩中无明显作用。     

脂多糖诱导大鼠主动脉血红素氧合酶-1表达及其对血管反应性的影响

目的：探讨血红素－HO－1－CO－cGMP道路对内毒素血症大鼠主动脉血管张力的影响及其分子机制。方法：用离体血管环张力测定技术,观察静脉注射脂多糖（LPS）6h,大鼠胸主动脉环（TARs)对苯肾上腺素（PE）累积收缩反应。分别用一氧化碳（CO）供体正缺血红素（He),血红素氧合酶－1（HO－1）抑制剂锌原卟啉（ZnPP-IX),鸟苷酸环化酶（sGC)抑制剂亚甲兰（MB）预卵育后,测定TARs对PE收缩反应的变化。分别测定主动脉中CO含量,HO－1活性,Western blot测定HO－1蛋白含量,RT－PCR检测HO－1 mRNA表达的改变。结果：LPS组TARs对PE累积收缩反应明显降低,ZnPP-IX可部分逆转低收缩反应,MB可完全逆转低收缩反应,而用He可加重低收缩反应状态;LPS组动脉组织中CO的含量上升,HO－1活性、蛋白表达量和mRNA表达均明显增加。结论：LPS可使主动脉HO－1基因表达上调,蛋白含量及酶活性明显增加,表明启动血红素－HO－1－CO－cGMP通路,是介导ES大鼠主动脉低收缩反应重要机制之一。     

乙醇对狗急性低氧性肺血管收缩反应的影响—白三烯的作用

本实验采用急性胃内灌注乙醇的方法,观察了乙醇对狗血流动力学和低氧性肺血管收缩反应(HPV)的影响,同时探讨了白三烯(LTs)在其中的作用。结果表明:①给乙醇(0.5g/kg)后肺血管阻力(PVR)和平均肺动脉压(_(pa))显著升高,用脂氧化酶抑制剂特异性地抑制白三烯的合成后,乙醇引起的PVR和_(pa)升高不显著,表明LTs介导乙醇引起的肺血管收缩反应。②给乙醇后HPV显著增强.急性低氧性肺动脉高压明显加重,用脂氧化酶抑制剂特异性地抑制LTs的合成后.乙醇增强HPV的效应被抑制.表明LTs在乙醇增强HPV的效应中起介导作用。实验结果提示饮酒不利于低氧性肺动脉高压、肺心病和高原性心脏病的防治。     

离子通道在肺动脉的分布及在低氧肺血管收缩反应中的作用

低氧性肺血管收缩反应（HPV）是指在急性低氧时,肺泡氧分压降到某一临界值,肺血管发生的快速、可逆的收缩反应,以纠正肺泡通气／灌流的不匹配。HPV的发生与肺动脉平滑肌细胞上K^＋、Ca^2＋、Cl^-通道的状态密切相关,而这些通道在不同部位的肺动脉上分布存在差异,因此不同部位的肺动脉在低氧中所表现的收缩反应程度也不同,本综述将对上述通道在肺动脉上的分布特点及其在HPV中的作用做一总结。     

组胺H1和H2受体在兔灌流肺低氧性肺动脉加压反应中的作用

本实验采用兔自身血液灌流原位肺,用含氧6％的氮氧混合气进行人工通气,在此基础上,分别用扑尔敏和西咪替丁阻滞肺血管的H_1和H_2受体,观察组胺受体在低氧性肺动脉加压反应(HPPR)中的作用,并测定肺流出血液中血浆cAMP和cGMP含量。结果表明,扑尔敏可使兔灌流肺HPPR减弱,西咪替丁则使之增强。提示组胺参与兔灌流肺的HPPR;H_1和H_2受体在兔的HPPR中以H_2受体的作用占优势;血浆环核苷酸含量变化,可能是兔低氧时肺动脉收缩及组胺发生影响的生化基础之一。     

低氧暴露下高原鼠兔血液中三种内源性气体分子含量的变化

内源性NO和CO以及H2S是目前发现的三种气体信号分子,在血管收缩调节和血管重构反应中发挥重要作用,影响肺血管收缩反应(HPV).本实验模拟5 000 m海拔高度,对高原鼠兔(Ochotona curzoniae)和SD大鼠进行不同时间的低氧处理,分别测定平均肺动脉压、右心指数和血液中内源性NO和CO以及H2S的浓度,以揭示三种气体分子在高原鼠兔低氧适应中的作用.研究结果显示:(1)随着低氧时间的增加,高原鼠兔肺动脉压没有出现显著性差异(P＞0.05),右心指数并未出现显著性变化(P＞0.05);SD大鼠肺动脉压在低氧7 d时出现极显著性增加(P＜0.01),并且随着低氧时间的增加肺动脉压持续升高,右心指数出现极显著性增加(P＜0.01);(2)高原鼠兔和SD大鼠血液中CO的水平在各处理间维持相对稳定(P＞0.05).高原鼠兔在低氧7 d时血液中NO浓度出现极显著性增加(P＜0.01),低氧21 d时NO浓度又恢复到正常水平(P＞0.05);SD大鼠在低氧1 d时血液中NO浓度出现显著性降低(P＜0.05),低氧7 d和21 d时NO浓度又恢复到正常水平(P＞0.05).高原鼠兔在低氧1 d时血液中H2S浓度无显著性差异(P＞0.05),低氧7d和21 dH2S浓度出现极显著性增加(P＜0.01);SD大鼠在低氧1 d时血液中H2S浓度出现极显著性增加(P＜0.01),低氧7 d、21 dH2S浓度与正常水平相比显著性降低(P＜0.05).结果表明,高原鼠兔提高血液中H2S的水平可能对其维持正常的肺动脉压和氧气传输具有重要作用.     

内源性CO在大鼠离体心脏缺血再灌注中的保护作用

本文旨在观察研究内源性CO在大鼠离体心脏缺血再灌注中的作用。大鼠经内源性CO激动剂原卟啉氯化钴(CoPP)和内源性CO抑制剂锌原卟啉(ZnPP)处理后,采用Langendorff离体心脏灌流系统完成心脏缺血再灌注模型,停灌(缺血)时间设定为30 min,分别采集离体心脏稳定期和再灌注后30 min心功能指标参数,ELISA方法检测心肌组织cGMP含量,比色法测定血浆中内源性CO的含量以及再灌注10 min时灌流液中肌酸激酶(creatine kinase,CK)、乳酸脱氢酶(lactic dehydrogenase,LDH)等心肌酶的指标。结果显示,停灌前离体心脏跳动平稳,CoPP组、ZnPP组和对照组心脏各项功能指标均保持稳定,三组间心功能指标无明显差异;再灌注后,三组间心功能指标出现显著性差异(P0.05),与停灌前相比,对照组和ZnPP组心功能均明显下降(P0.05),且ZnPP组下降较为显著,而CoPP组仍能保持停灌前水平。与此同时,三组大鼠体内CO含量、离体心肌酶学指标和再灌注后恢复稳定时间也有明显的差异(P0.05),和对照组相比,CoPP组复灌稳定恢复时间减少,灌流液中CK和LDH含量显著减少,血浆内源性CO含量和心肌cGMP含量显著增加,而ZnPP组则呈现截然相反的结果。以上结果提示,内源性CO可维持一定的心脏舒缩能力、缩短心脏复跳时间,在心脏缺血再灌注中起到了保护作用。     

DDPH对低氧内皮细胞条件培养液诱导肺动脉平滑肌细胞增殖及α-SM-actin表达的影响

目的探讨1-(2,6-二甲基苯氧基)-2-(3,4-二甲氧基苯乙氨基)丙烷盐酸盐(DDPH)抑制低氧内皮细胞条件培养液(HECCM)诱导肺动脉平滑肌细胞增殖及对α-SM-actin表达的影响.方法利用低氧内皮细胞条件培养液建立猪肺动脉平滑肌细胞(PASMC)的增殖模型;以四甲基偶氮唑盐(MTT)比色法、α平滑肌肌动蛋白(α-SM-actin)为指标,采用免疫细胞化学染色法观察低氧内皮细胞条件培养液对肺动脉平滑肌细胞增殖的影响以及DDPH对低氧内皮细胞条件培养液促肺动脉平滑肌细胞增殖后的逆转效应.结果低氧内皮细胞条件培养液显著促进肺动脉平滑肌细胞增殖,低氧内皮细胞条件培养液促肺动脉平滑肌细胞增殖后,肺动脉平滑肌细胞的表型发生转化,由收缩表型转化为合成表型,肺动脉平滑肌细胞胞浆内的α-SM-actin含量下降;DDPH能显著抑制低氧内皮细胞条件培养液对肺动脉平滑肌细胞的增殖作用,并使肺动脉平滑肌细胞的表型发生逆转,即由合成表型逆转为具有执行正常收缩功能的收缩表型,肺动脉平滑肌细胞胞浆内的α-SM-actin含量回升.结论提示DDPH能显著抑制低氧内皮细胞条件培养液促肺动脉平滑肌细胞的增殖作用,其作用机制可能是通过肺动脉平滑肌细胞的表型发生逆转来实现的.     

罗格列酮对低氧性肺动脉高压大鼠PPARγ和PTEN表达的影响

目的:研究罗格列酮(rosiglitazone,RSG)对低氧性肺动脉高压大鼠过氧化物酶体增殖物激活受体γ(Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma,PPARγ)和10号染色体缺失张力蛋白同源磷酸酶基因(Phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10,PTEN)表达的影响。方法:SD大鼠随机分为正常对照组、低氧组、低氧+罗格利酮组,建立低氧性肺动脉高压大鼠模型,4周后测定各组大鼠右心室压力、右心肥厚指标,同时检测各实验组PPARγ、PTEN的表达和组织病理学变化。培养原代大鼠肺动脉平滑肌细胞,分别给与低氧、低氧+罗格列酮、低氧+GW9662处理后观察细胞增殖及PPARγ、PTEN的表达变化。结果:1与正常组相比,低氧组大鼠右心室压力、右心肥厚指标明显增加,肺小动脉管壁增厚,PPARγ、PTEN的表达明显减少。与低氧组相比,低氧+罗格列酮组大鼠右心室压力下降,右心室及肺小动脉管壁的肥厚减轻,PTEN的表达增加。2低氧下,PASMCs中PPARγ、PTEN表达明显减低,细胞增殖较常氧明显增加,给与罗格列酮后,PTEN表达增加,给与GW9662,PTEN表达减少。3罗格列酮可以抑制PASMCs低氧下的增殖,而给与GW9662后,这一抑制作用减轻。结论:早期应用罗格列酮可激活低氧性肺动脉高压大鼠PPARγ的活性,进而上调PTEN表达,改善低氧性肺动脉高压。     

Hydrogen sulfide mediates hypoxic vasoconstriction through a production of mitochondrial ROS in trout gills

Hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV) is an adaptive response that diverts pulmonary blood flow from poorly ventilated and hypoxic areas of the lung to more well-ventilated parts. This response is important for the local matching of blood perfusion to ventilation and improves pulmonary gas exchange efficiency. HPV is an ancient and highly conserved response, expressed in the respiratory organs of all vertebrates, including lungs of mammals, birds, and reptiles; amphibian skin; and fish gills. The mechanism underlying HPV and how cells sense low Po(2) remains elusive. In perfused trout gills (Oncorhynchus mykiss), acute hypoxia, as well as H(2)S, caused an initial and transient constriction of the vasculature. Inhibition of the enzymes cystathionine-β-synthase and cystathionine-γ-lyase, which blocks H(2)S production, abolished the hypoxic response. Individually blocking the four complexes in the electron transport chain abolished both the hypoxic and the H(2)S-mediated constriction. Glutathione, an antioxidant and scavenger of superoxide, attenuated the vasoconstriction in response to hypoxia and H(2)S. Furthermore, diethyldithiocarbamate, an inhibitor of superoxide dismutase, attenuated the hypoxic and H(2)S constriction. This strongly suggests that H(2)S mediates the hypoxic vasoconstriction in trout gills. H(2)S may stimulate the mitochondrial production of superoxide, which is then converted to hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)). Thus, H(2)O(2) may act as the "downstream" signaling molecule in hypoxic vasoconstriction.     

Hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction in reptiles: a comparative study of four species with different lung structures and pulmonary blood pressures

Low O2 levels in the lungs of birds and mammals cause constriction of the pulmonary vasculature that elevates resistance to pulmonary blood flow and increases pulmonary blood pressure. This hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV) diverts pulmonary blood flow from poorly ventilated and hypoxic areas of the lung to more well-ventilated parts and is considered important for the local matching of ventilation to blood perfusion. In the present study, the effects of acute hypoxia on pulmonary and systemic blood flows and pressures were measured in four species of anesthetized reptiles with diverse lung structures and heart morphologies: varanid lizards (Varanus exanthematicus), caimans (Caiman latirostris), rattlesnakes (Crotalus durissus), and tegu lizards (Tupinambis merianae). As previously shown in turtles, hypoxia causes a reversible constriction of the pulmonary vasculature in varanids and caimans, decreasing pulmonary vascular conductance by 37 and 31%, respectively. These three species possess complex multicameral lungs, and it is likely that HPV would aid to secure ventilation-perfusion homogeneity. There was no HPV in rattlesnakes, which have structurally simple lungs where local ventilation-perfusion inhomogeneities are less likely to occur. However, tegu lizards, which also have simple unicameral lungs, did exhibit HPV, decreasing pulmonary vascular conductance by 32%, albeit at a lower threshold than varanids and caimans (6.2 kPa oxygen in inspired air vs. 8.2 and 13.9 kPa, respectively). Although these observations suggest that HPV is more pronounced in species with complex lungs and functionally divided hearts, it is also clear that other components are involved.     

Alterations in a redox oxygen sensing mechanism in chronic hypoxia.

The mechanism of acute hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV) may involve the inhibition of several voltage-gated K+ channels in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells. Changes in PO2 can either be sensed directly by the channel(s) or be transmitted to the channel via a redox-based effector mechanism. In control lungs, hypoxia and rotenone acutely decrease production of activated oxygen species, inhibit K+ channels, and cause constriction. Two-day and 3-wk chronic hypoxia (CH) resulted in a decrease in basal activated oxygen species levels, an increase in reduced glutathione, and loss of HPV and rotenone-induced constriction. In contrast, 4-aminopyridine- and KCl-mediated constrictions were preserved. After 3-wk CH, pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cell membrane potential was depolarized, K+ channel density was reduced, and acute hypoxic inhibition of whole cell K+ current was lost. In addition, Kv1.5 and Kv2.1 channel protein was decreased. These data suggest that chronic reduction of the cytosol occurs before changes in K+ channel expression. HPV may be attenuated in CH because of an impaired redox sensor.     

Ca2+ sensitization during sustained hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction is endothelium dependent

The main aim of this study was to determine the effects of endothelium removal on tension and intracellular Ca(2+) ([Ca(2+)](i)) during hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV) in rat isolated intrapulmonary arteries (IPA). Rat IPA and mesenteric arteries (MA) were mounted on myographs and loaded with the Ca(2+)-sensitive fluorophore fura PE-3. Arteries were precontracted with prostaglandin F(2alpha), and the effects of hypoxia were examined. HPV in isolated IPA consisted of a transient constriction superimposed on a second sustained phase. Only the latter phase was abolished by endothelial denudation. However, removal of the endothelium had no effect on [Ca(2+)](i) at any point during HPV. The endothelin-1 antagonists BQ-123 and BQ-788 did not affect HPV, although constriction induced by 100 nM endothelin-1 was abolished. In MA, hypoxia induced an initial transient rise in tension and [Ca(2+)](i), followed by vasodilatation and a fall in [Ca(2+)](i) to (but not below) prehypoxic levels. These results are consistent with sustained HPV being mediated by an endothelium-derived constrictor factor that is distinct from endothelin-1 and that elicits vasoconstriction via Ca(2+) sensitization.     

清醒羊血浆PAF在低氧性肺动脉高压产生及逆转中的变化

本实验复制清醒羊低氧性肺动脉高压模型,观察肺动脉高压发生发展及逆转过程中血浆内源性血小板活化因子（ｐｌａｔｅｌｅｔａｃｔｉｖａｔｉｎｇｆａｃｔｏｒ,ＰＡＦ）的动态变化。结果表明：（１）低氧４ｄ引起低氧血症,导致肺血管收缩,形成肺动脉高压;停止低氧后可逆转;（２）开始低氧,血中内源性ＰＡＦ升高,但低氧时间延长血浆中ＰＡＦ却不随肺动脉压升高相应增加;（３）停止低氧,血浆ＰＡＦ不随肺动脉高压的逆转而相应降低。上述结果表明血浆ＰＡＦ的变化与肺动脉高压无关。提示血中内源性ＰＡＦ不介导清醒羊低氧性肺血管收缩导致的肺动脉高压。     

PDE1 or PDE5 inhibition augments NO‐dependent hypoxic constriction of porcine coronary artery via elevating inosine 3′,5′‐cyclic monophosphate level

Hypoxic coronary vasospasm may lead to myocardial ischaemia and cardiac dysfunction. Inosine 3′,5′‐cyclic monophosphate (cIMP) is a putative second messenger to mediate this pathological process. Nevertheless, it remains unclear as to whether levels of cIMP can be regulated in living tissue such as coronary artery and if so, what is the consequence of this regulation on hypoxia‐induced vasoconstriction. In the present study, we found that cIMP was a key determinant of hypoxia‐induced constriction but not that of the subsequent relaxation response in porcine coronary arteries. Subsequently, coronary arteries were treated with various phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors to identify PDE types that are capable of regulating cIMP levels. We found that inhibition of PDE1 and PDE5 substantially elevated cIMP content in endothelium‐denuded coronary artery supplemented with exogenous purified cIMP. However, cGMP levels were far lower than their levels in intact coronary arteries and lower than cIMP levels measured in endothelium‐denuded coronary arteries supplemented with exogenous cIMP. The increased cIMP levels induced by PDE1 or PDE5 inhibition further led to augmented hypoxic constriction without apparently affecting the relaxation response. In intact coronary artery, PDE1 or PDE5 inhibition up‐regulated cIMP levels under hypoxic condition. Concomitantly, cGMP level increased to a comparable level. Nevertheless, the hypoxia‐mediated constriction was enhanced in this situation that was largely compromised by an even stronger inhibition of PDEs. Taken together, these data suggest that cIMP levels in coronary arteries are regulated by PDE1 and PDE5, whose inhibition at a certain level leads to increased cIMP content and enhanced hypoxic constriction.     

Comparison of the hemodynamic effects of nitric oxide and endothelium-dependent vasodilators in intact lungs

The effects of endothelium-dependent vasodilation on pulmonary vascular hemodynamics were evaluated in a variety of in vivo and in vitro models to determine 1) the comparability of the hemodynamic effects of acetylcholine (ACh), bradykinin (BK), nitric oxide (NO), and 8-bromo-guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP), 2) whether methylene blue is a useful inhibitor of endothelium-dependent relaxing factor (EDRF) activity in vivo, and 3) the effect of monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertension on the responsiveness of the pulmonary vasculature to ACh. In isolated rat lungs, which were preconstricted with hypoxia, ACh, BK, NO, and 8-bromo-cGMP caused pulmonary vasodilation, which was not inhibited by maximum tolerable doses of methylene blue. Methylene blue did not inhibit EDRF activity in any model, despite causing increased pulmonary vascular tone and responsiveness to various constrictor agents. There were significant differences in the hemodynamic characteristics of ACh, BK, and NO. In the isolated lung, BK and NO caused transient decreases of hypoxic vasoconstriction, whereas ACh caused more prolonged vasodilation. Pretreatment of these lungs with NO did not significantly inhibit ACh-induced vasodilation but caused BK to produce vasoconstriction. Tachyphylaxis, which was agonist specific, developed with repeated administration of ACh or BK but not NO. Tachyphylaxis probably resulted from inhibition of the endothelium-dependent vasodilation pathway proximal to NO synthesis, because it could be overcome by exogenous NO. Pretreatment with 8-bromo-cGMP decreased hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction and, even when the hypoxic pressor response had largely recovered, subsequent doses of ACh and NO failed to cause vasodilation, although BK produced vasoconstriction. These findings are compatible with the existence of feedback inhibition of the endothelium-dependent relaxation by elevation of cGMP levels. Responsiveness to ACh was retained in lungs with severe monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertension. Many of these findings would not have been predicted based on in vitro studies and illustrate the importance for expanding studies of EDRF to in vivo and ex vivo models.     

H1 and H2 histamine actions on lung vessels; their relevance to hypoxic vasoconstriction.

Pulmonary vasomotor actions of histamine and the possible relationship of histamine to hypoxic pulmonary vasconstriction were studied in anaesthetized cats with one lobe of lung perfused at constant flow and in isolated perfused rat and ferret lungs. In the cat histamine caused dilatation, biphasic responses and constriction with increasing doses. Histamine induced dilatation was better demonstrated during hypoxic vasoconstriction and was reduced by an H2 histamine antagonist; constriction with histamine was abolished by an H1 antagonist. Histamine also caused both vasodilatation and vasoconstriction in ferret lungs. A mast cell stabilizing agent had no effect on hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction in cats or rats. This response was unaffected in cats but greatly reduced in rats and ferrets by cyproheptadine, a combined histamine and 5-hydroxy-tryptamine inhibitor. It was unaffected in cats but abolished in ferrets an H1 histamine inhibitor. It was again unaffected in cats but greatly reduced in rats and ferrets by an H2 histamine inhibitor. These species differences may reflect differences in mechanism but more probably reflect non-specific effects of the inhibitors in certain circumstances. However, when drugs nearly abolished hypoxic vasoconstriction, ATP still caused vasoconstriction.     

Lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase blockade by BW 755C enhances pulmonary hypoxic vasoconstriction

Lipoxygenase products (leukotrienes) have been proposed as the mediators of pulmonary hypoxic vasoconstriction. However, the supporting data are inconclusive because the lipoxygenase and leukotriene receptor blockers that reduce hypoxic vasoconstriction (such as diethylcarbamazine and the FPL's) have confounding effects. We investigated BW 755C, a potent inhibitor of both lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase, in eight intact anesthetized dogs with acute left lower lobe atelectasis. We examined two manifestations of hypoxic vasoconstriction: shunt fraction, as an inverse indicator of regional constriction in response to local hypoxia, and the pulmonary pressor response to global alveolar hypoxia, as an index of general hypoxic vasoconstriction. During normoxia, shunt fraction, measured using a sulfur hexafluoride infusion, was 32.0 +/- 7.0%. The pulmonary pressor response to hypoxia, defined as the increase in pulmonary end-diastolic gradient produced by 10% O2 inhalation, averaged 4.5 +/- 1.8 mmHg. Then, during normoxia, BW 755C was administered. Shunt fraction fell in all eight dogs from the previous mean of 32% to 25.5 +/- 6.1% (t = 6.5, P less than 0.0005). The hypoxic pressor response rose in all dogs, from the previous 4.5 mmHg to 9.0 +/- 3.5 mmHg (t = 4.5, P less than 0.005). BW 755C enhances hypoxic vasoconstriction, an effect consistent with its activity as a cyclooxygenase inhibitor. These data do not support a substantive role for the lipoxygenase pathway in hypoxic vasoconstriction.