Pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary vascular reactivity in beagles at high altitude

It is unclear whether dogs develop pulmonary hypertension (PH) at high altitude. Beagles from sea level were exposed to an altitude of 3,100 m (PB 525 Torr) for 12-19 mo and compared with age-matched controls remaining at low altitude of 130 m (PB 750 Torr). In beagles taken to high altitude as adults, pulmonary arterial pressures (PAP) at 3,100 m were 21.6 +/- 2.6 vs. 13.2 +/- 1.2 Torr in controls. Likewise, in beagles taken to 3,100 m as puppies 2.5 mo old, PAP was 23.2 +/- 2.1 vs. 13.8 +/- 0.4 Torr in controls. This PH reflected a doubling of pulmonary vascular resistance and showed no progression with time at altitude. Pulmonary vascular reactivity to acute hypoxia was also enhanced at 3,100 m. Inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis did not attenuate the PH or the enhanced reactivity. Once established, the PH was only partially reversed by acute relief of chronic hypoxia, but reversal was virtually complete after return to low altitude. Hence, beagles do develop PH at 3,100 m of a severity comparable to that observed in humans at the same or even higher altitudes.     

Life-long consequences of postnatal normoxia exposure in rats raised at high altitude

We tested the hypothesis that exposure of high-altitude (HA) rats to a period of postnatal normoxia has long-term consequences on the ventilatory and hematological acclimatization in adults. Male and female HA rats (3,600 m, Po(2) ? 100 Torr; La Paz, Bolivia) were exposed to normal room air [HA control (HACont)] or enriched oxygen (32% O(2); Po(2) ? 160 Torr) from 1 day before to 15 days after birth [HA postnatal normoxia (HApNorm)]. Hematocrit and hemoglobin values were assessed at 2, 12, and 32 wk of age. Cardiac and lung morphology were assessed at 12 wk by measuring right ventricular hypertrophy (pulmonary hypertension index) and lung air space-to-tissue ratio (indicative of alveolarization). Respiratory parameters under baseline conditions and in response to 32% O(2) for 10 min (relieving the ambient hypoxic stimulus) were measured by whole body plethysmography at 12 wk. Finally, we performed a survival analysis up to 600 days of age. Compared with HACont, HApNorm rats had reduced hematocrit and hemoglobin levels at all ages (both sexes); reduced right ventricular hypertrophy (both sexes); lower air space-to-tissue ratio in the lungs (males only); reduced CO(2) production rate, but higher oxygen uptake (males only); and similar respiratory frequency, tidal volume, and minute ventilation. When breathing 32% O(2), HApNorm male rats had a stronger decrease of minute ventilation than HACont. HApNorm rats had a marked tendency toward longer survival throughout the study. We conclude that exposure to ambient hypoxia during postnatal development in HA rats has deleterious consequences on acclimatization to hypoxia as adults.     

Early vascular alterations in the diabetic rat heart

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether there are vascular alterations in diabetes prior to atherosclerotic lesions. Four and 12 weeks after induction of diabetes (streptozotocin, 60 mg/kg b.w.) in rats characterized by low plasma insulin, hyperglycaemia, glucosuria, and loss of body weight, however, without morphological alterations of the cardiac vasculature--local myocardial perfusion parameters were estimated in the epicardium of Langendorff perfused hearts using fluorescence indicator (FITC-dextrane, MG 3kD) washout kinetics after bolus injection. The elution profile was characterized by a fast vascular and a slow transendothelial component. In diabetic hearts, vascular as well as transendothelial washout were prolonged. Concomitantly, the vascular perfusion volume and the amount of indicator exchanged with the interstitium was significantly diminished. Vascular response to bradykinin (5 nmol/l) was moderately attenuated and the limitations in transendothelial indicator exchange could not be affected by bradykinin, although vascular perfusion volume was significantly increased. These findings clearly indicate disturbed local myocardial perfusion early in the development of diabetes.     

模拟高原环境下高原肺水肿大鼠模型的建立

目的在人工实验舱模拟高原环境下,探讨建立高原肺水肿大鼠模型的条件。方法 Wistar大鼠,雌雄各半,随机分为5组:空白对照组、低氧24 h组、低氧48 h组、低氧72 h组、低氧7 d组,测定大鼠肺组织含水量,肺组织中TNF-α、IL-6含量及病理改变。结果与正常对照组相比,低氧24、48、72 h组大鼠肺组织含水量依次为(81.58±0.86)%、(82.13±0.57)%、(82.21±0.88)%,高于正常对照组(78.72±0.52)%,肺组织中IL-6依次为(329.30±133.58)、(323.92±127.42)、(506.29±197.19)pg/mL,TNF-α依次(221.08±20.26)、(208.05±20.33)、(244.63±51.53)pg/mL,高于正常对照组IL-6(187.26±69.49)pg/mL,TNF-α为(91.81±22.24)pg/mL。低氧7d组肺组织含水量(81.47±0.65)%、肺组织中IL-6(241.33±83.60)pg/mL、TNF-α(109.99±31.98)pg/mL,均显著低于低氧72h组,病理学结果显示72h组肺组织有炎性细胞浸润,肺泡壁有明显的充血和水肿。结论模拟海拔5000 m环境,建立大鼠肺水肿模型的较好的时间为72 h。     

Pulmonary vascular development goes awry in congenital lung abnormalities

Pulmonary vascular diseases of the newborn comprise a wide range of pathological conditions with developmental abnormalities in the pulmonary vasculature. Clinically, pulmonary arterial hypertension (PH) is characterized by persistent increased resistance of the vasculature and abnormal vascular response. The classification of PH is primarily based on clinical parameters instead of morphology and distinguishes five groups of PH. Congenital lung anomalies, such as alveolar capillary dysplasia (ACD) and PH associated with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), but also bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), are classified in group three. Clearly, tight and correct regulation of pulmonary vascular development is crucial for normal lung development. Human and animal model systems have increased our knowledge and make it possible to identify and characterize affected pathways and study pivotal genes. Understanding of the normal development of the pulmonary vasculature will give new insights in the origin of the spectrum of rare diseases, such as CDH, ACD, and BPD, which render a significant clinical problem in neonatal intensive care units around the world. In this review, we describe normal pulmonary vascular development, and focus on four diseases of the newborn in which abnormal pulmonary vascular development play a critical role in morbidity and mortality. In the future perspective, we indicate the lines of research that seem to be very promising for elucidating the molecular pathways involved in the origin of congenital pulmonary vascular disease. Birth Defects Research (Part C) 102:343–358, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

SENP1在大鼠低氧性肺动脉高压形成中肺血管壁中表达及可能作用

目的:探讨大鼠低氧性肺动脉高压(HPH)形成过程中SENP1在肺小动脉的动态表达变化及作用。方法:40只成年雄性Wistar大鼠随机分为5组(n=8):对照组和缺氧3 d、7 d、14 d2、1 d组,常压间断低氧复制HPH大鼠模型。测各组大鼠平均肺动脉压(mPAP)、右心室肥大指数(RVHI)、血管形态学指标;原位杂交、逆转录-聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)检测肺内SUMO特异性蛋白酶-1(SUMO-specific proteases-1,SENP1)mRNA表达,免疫组化、Westernblot检测其蛋白质水平。结果:①缺氧7 d后,肺小动脉出现血管重塑,且mPAP明显上升;低氧14 d后,肺小动脉重塑更明显,mPAP达高峰。RVHI在低氧14 d后明显增加。②原位杂交显示,SENP1 mRNA在对照组肺小动脉壁呈阳性表达,低氧后其相对量无明显变化。RT-PCR显示肺组织SENP1 mRNA表达与原位杂交所观察到的肺小动脉壁SENP1 mRNA变化趋势一致;SENP1蛋白在对照组呈阳性表达,低氧7 d后其表达量开始呈进行性下降。Western blot显示肺组织内SENP1蛋白表达与免疫组化观察到的肺小动脉壁SENP1蛋白变化趋势一致。③SENP1蛋白与mPAP、重塑指数、RVHI均呈负相关。结论:慢性低氧诱导肺小动脉壁SENP1蛋白降解,进而可能在HPH发病过程中发挥一定的作用。     

Decreased pulmonary vascular responsiveness in rats raised on an essential fatty acid deficient diet

Leukotriene C₄ is produced during hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction and leukotriene inhibitors preferentially inhibit the hypoxic pressor response in rats. If lipoxygenase products are important in hypoxic vasoconstriction, then an animal deficient in arachidonic acid should have a blunted hypoxic pressor response. We investigated if vascular responsiveness was decreased in vascular rings and isolated perfused lungs from rats raised on an essential fatty acid deficient diet (EFAD) compared to rats raised on a normal diet. Rats raised on the EFAD diet had decreased esterified plasma arachidonic acid and increased 5-, 8-, 11- eicosatrieonic acid compared to rats raised on the normal diet (control). Compared to the time matched responses in control isolated perfused lungs the pressor responses to angiotensin II and alveolar hypoxia were blunted in lungs from the arachidonate deficient rats. This decreased pulmonary vascular responsiveness was not affected by the addition of indomethacin or arachidonic acid to the lung perfusate. Similarly, the pulmonary artery rings from arichidonate deficient rats demonstrated decreased reactivity to norepinephrine compared to rings from control rats. In contrast, the tension increases to norepinephrine were greater in aortic rings from the arachidonate deficient rats compared to control. Stimulated lung tissue from the arachidonate deficient animals produced less slow reacting substance and platelet activating factor like material but the same amount of 6-keto-PGF_1α and TXB₂ compared to control lungs. Thus there is an associated between altered vascular responsiveness and impairment of stimulated production of slow reacting substance and platelet activating factor like materiali rat raised on an EFAD diet.     

Decreased pulmonary vascular responsiveness in rats raised on an essential fatty acid deficient diet

Leukotriene C4 is produced during hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction and leukotriene inhibitors preferentially inhibit the hypoxic pressor response in rats. If lipoxygenase products are important in hypoxic vasoconstriction, then an animal deficient in arachidonic acid should have a blunted hypoxic pressor response. We investigated if vascular responsiveness was decreased in vascular rings and isolated perfused lungs from rats raised on an essential fatty acid deficient diet (EFAD) compared to rats raised on a normal diet. Rats raised on the EFAD diet had decreased esterified plasma arachidonic acid and increased 5-, 8-, 11-eicosatrienoic acid compared to rats raised on the normal diet (control). Compared to the time matched responses in control isolated perfused lungs the pressor responses to angiotensin II and alveolar hypoxia were blunted in lungs from the arachidonate deficient rats. This decreased pulmonary vascular responsiveness was not affected by the addition of indomethacin or arachidonic acid to the lung perfusate. Similarly, the pulmonary artery rings from arachidonate deficient rats demonstrated decreased reactivity to norepinephrine compared to rings from control rats. In contrast, the tension increases to norepinephrine were greater in aortic rings from the arachidonate deficient rats compared to control. Stimulated lung tissue from the arachidonate deficient animals produced less slow reacting substance and platelet activating factor like material but the same amount of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha and TXB2 compared to control lungs. Thus there is an association between altered vascular responsiveness and impairment of stimulated production of slow reacting substance and platelet activating factor like material in rats raised on an EFAD diet.     

Pituitary hormones and growth retardation in rats raised at simulated high altitude (3800m).

Growth and the endocrine status of the pituitary and thyroid glands were studied in rats born and raised in a hypobaric chamber at a simulated high altitude of 3800 m (SHA); comparisons were drawn with similar rats at sea level. From birth until 40 days of age, SHA rats weighed significantly less than controls with the most striking growth impairment found in female SHA rats. Relative organ weights of anterior pituitary glands, ovaries and uteri from 40-day-old female SHA rats were significantly less than controls. Pituitary content of growth hormone (GH) was reduced in 40-day-old female SHA rats while the content of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) were significantly increased over sea level controls. Plasma levels of GH, LH, FSH and thyrotropin (TSH) and pituitary TSH levels did not differ from control values. However, thyroidal uptake of 131I and plasma protein-bound 131I were significantly reduced in SHA rats as compared with controls. It is suggested that (1) the continuous exposure of developing female rats to hypoxia significantly impairs pituitary function and reproductive maturation, and (2) that despite other environmental factors acting on the developing organism at high altitude, growth retardation in rats born and raised at high altitudes is primarily a consequence of hypoxia.     

Radiographic evidence of interstitial pulmonary edema after exercise at altitude

Pulmonary functionabnormalities after exercise are suggestive of pulmonary edema;however, radiographic evidence is lacking. Well-trained cyclists werestudied to determine whether there is radiographic evidence ofpulmonary edema after endurance exercise (cycling distance5.3-131.5 km) at altitude. Chest radiographs obtained beforeexercise were coded for later interpretation. Films obtained afterexercise were coded with a different number. A total of 74 sets ofposteroanterior and lateral films were analyzed by three radiologistsfor signs of pulmonary edema. Radiographic changes were graded on athree-point scale. An edema score was calculated by summing the scorefor each individual radiographic finding for each radiologist and anoverall edema score representing the mean scores from all threeradiologists. The overall edema score increased from 0.8 ± 1.2 before exercise to 1.8 ± 1.6 after exercise(P < 0.01). These results suggestthat, after prolonged high-intensity exercise at moderate altitude,there is radiographic evidence of early pulmonary edema in some cyclists.     

The pulmonary circulation of some domestic animals at high altitude

Pulmonary haemodynamics and the histology of the pulmonary vasculature have been studied at high altitude in the yak, in interbreeds between yaks and cattle, and in domestic goats and sheep indigenous to high altitudes together with crosses between them and low-altitude strains. Cattle at high altitude had a higher pulmonary arterial pressure than cattle at low altitude. The yak and two interbreeds with cattle (dzos and stols) had a low pulmonary arterial pressure compared with cattle, while the medial thickness of the small pulmonary arteries was less than would be expected in cattle, suggesting that the yak has a low capacity for hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction and that this characteristic is transmitted genetically. Goats and sheep showed haemodynamic evidence of a limited response of the pulmonary circulation to high altitude, but no evidence that the high altitude breeds had lost this response. There were no measurable differences in the thickness of the media of the small pulmonary arteries between high- and low-altitude breeds of goats and sheep. All these species showed prominent intimal protrusions of muscle into the pulmonary veins but no specific effect of high altitude in this respect.     

Early postnatal development of myocardial stroma in the rat

By means of transmissive electron microscopy and morphometry methods volumetric parts and number of cells in various components of the myocardial stroma have been studied in male Wistar rats at the age up to 45 days. Two age periods have been determined--before and after 10 days. Synchronization of processes in development of the stromal elements is observed.     

Pulmonary hypertension and the smooth muscle of the pulmonary arterioles in chickens at high altitude

• 1.1. One-day-old male (m) and female (f) chickens from a population living at 3300m for several generations were raised at 3300 m (HA) and at sea level (SL).
• 2.2. The histology of the pulmonary arterioles was studied in the HA and SL chickens when they were 4 weeks old and the thickness of their muscular coat (MT) determined.
• 3.3. Pulmonary arterial pressure (Ppa), hematocrit (Hct) and the wet and dry weights of the total ventricle, left ventricle, septum and right ventricle (RV) were obtained when the HA and SL birds were 8 weeks old.
• 4.4. Results indicated that chickens have a thick muscular coat in their pulmonary arterioles. MT expressed as a fraction of arteriolar diameter (MT/AD) was 0.113 at SL. Exposure to HA increased this value in the m (0.137, P < 0.01) but not in the f (0.123, P > 0.05).
• 5.5. Ppa, RV and Hct were significantly higher at HA in both sexes. The degree of pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular hypertrophy observed was smaller than that found in earlier generations of these chickens studied several years ago. This probably indicates some degree of adaptation after generations of life at HA.