不同剂量野百合碱诱导大鼠肺动脉高压模型的实验研究

目的:肺动脉高压患者的预后非常差并且目前对肺动脉高压的治疗缺乏有效的方法.因此,对肺动脉高压的研究十分迫切,而建立稳定、操作简便、稳定的肺动脉高压模型是研究肺动脉高压的基础.本实验的目的就是采用不同剂量野百合碱(monocrotaline,MCT)诱导建立SD大鼠肺动脉高压模型,探讨肺动脉高压模型的制作方法及其稳定性.方法:清洁级SD雄性大鼠75只,随机分为C组、M1、M2、M3和M4组,每组各15只.其中M1～M4组大鼠分别一次性腹腔注射MCT 30、40、50和60 mg/kg,诱导制作肺动脉高压动物模型;C组为对照组,给予相同剂量溶剂腹腔注射.腹腔注射4周后比较各组大鼠的生存率、检测平均肺动脉压力(mPAP),肺动脉收缩压(PASP),右心肥大指数(RVHI),并取肺组织行苏木素-伊红染色,观察肺的病理改变,采用肺小动脉形态计量学指标综合判断肺动脉高压模型的稳定性.结果:C组无死亡,M1～M4组大鼠的生存率分别为87％,87％,67％,40％.M1～M4各组SD大鼠平均肺动脉压、肺动脉收缩压、右心肥大指数依次增大(P＜0.05),肺小动脉形态计量学指标检测显示肺血管中膜厚度百分比依次增大(P＜0.05),而M3与M4组各测量结果无明显差异.结论:腹腔注射50 mg/kg、60 mg/kg剂量野百合碱均可引起大鼠肺动脉压力升高和肺血管重构,均可诱导稳定的肺动脉高压模型,而50 mg/kg剂量有更高的生存率.所以50mg/kg剂量野百合碱腹腔注射是成功诱导大鼠肺动脉高压模型的合适剂量.     

苹果多酚对野百合碱诱导的肺动脉高压大鼠肺血管重构的作用和机制

目的:探讨苹果多酚抑制肺动脉高压大鼠肺动脉血管重构的作用及其机制。方法:雄性SD大鼠随机分为对照组(Con),野百合碱(MCT)组,苹果多酚(APP)组,野百合碱+苹果多酚(MCT+APP)组,每组9只。Con组:每天皮下注射1ml生理盐水;APP组:隔天按20mg/kg的剂量腹腔注射苹果多酚;MCT组:按60mg/kg剂量一次性皮下注射MCT;MCT+APP组:一次性皮下注射60mg/kg剂量MCT,隔天按20mg/kg剂量腹腔注射APP,所有处理持续3周。建模完成后,检测各组大鼠平均肺动脉压(mPAP),肺血管阻力(PVR),右心室肥厚指数(RVHI),肺动脉血管环外周长比值(WT%),肺小血管管壁面积和管总面积比值(WA%)。检测肺组织中的白细胞介素1(IL-1),白细胞介素6(IL-6),肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF-α),环氧化酶2(COX-2),髓过氧化物酶(MPO)等炎症通路相关指标,及肺动脉平滑肌细胞内Ca2+和内皮细胞eNOS,NO含量。结果:MCT组大鼠与对照组比较,在动物水平的指标mPAP、PVR、RVHI、WA%、WT%和肺动脉组织内IL-1,IL-6,TNF-α,COX-2,MPO表达量以及肺动脉平滑肌细胞内的Ca2+浓度明显升高(P<0.05),而内皮细胞中的eNOS,NO含量明显下降(P<0.05);苹果多酚治疗组与MCT组大鼠相比上述情况得到改善,其中COX-2和Ca2+指标明显下降,且具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:苹果多酚可通过抑制MCT引起的肺组织内IL-1,IL-6,TNF-α,COX-2升高和肺动脉平滑肌细胞内Ca2+升高以及内皮细胞中eNOS,NO降低,抑制平滑肌细胞增殖,逆转肺血管重构,缓解肺动脉高压。     

不同数目骨髓间充质干细胞移植对大鼠肺损伤的抑制作用

目的研究不同数目的骨髓间充质干细胞（mesenchymal stem cells,MSCs）静脉移植对野百合碱（monocrotaline,MCT）诱导大鼠肺损伤的抑制作用。方法全骨髓贴壁法培养Wistar大鼠MSCs,取第3～5代细胞进行移植。健康雄性Wistar大鼠20只由颈外静脉移植MSCs,按移植细胞个数分为5×105组、1×106组、5×106组和对照（生理盐水）组（n=5）,测定移植前、移植后5 min,30 min及24 h的RVSP。另40只随机分组（n=10）：①MCT/MSCs 5×105组;②MCT/MSCs 1×106组;③MCT组;④对照组,腹腔注射60 mg/kgM CT（对照组注射等量生理盐水）,同时分别移植MSCs 5×105个、1×106个或等量PBS液体。4周后检测大鼠右心室收缩压（right ventricularsystolic pressure,RVSP）、RV/（LV＋S）重量比值;肺组织苏木素-伊红染色、地衣红染色和平滑肌Actin免疫组织化学染色。统计数据采用SPSS 11.0软件,对各组数据进行单因素方差分析检验。结果少于1×106个MSCs颈外静脉移植是安全的。MSCs颈外静脉移植4周后,MCT/MSCs 1×106组RVSP（35.6±8.4）mmHg与MCT组（47.2±10.5）mmHg相比明显下降（P〈0.05）,心室比0.3572±0.0923明显低于MCT组0.4454±0.0935（P〈0.05）,而MCT/MSCs 5×105组RVSP为（42.5±11.3）mmHg,心室比0.4003±0.0725,与MCT组相比无明显下降（两者P〉0.05）;病理染色可见肺组织肺小动脉中,MCT/MSCs 1×106组中膜厚度分布为（19.2±3.8）%,较MCT组（26.4±4.9）%明显变薄（P〈0.05）;而MCT/MSCs 5×105组（23.3±3.6）%较MCT组相比无显著差异（P〉0.05）。结论 MSCs颈外静脉移植对MCT诱导的肺损伤具有抑制作用,1×106个细胞较5×105个细胞移植抑制作用显著。     

肺动脉高压动物模型研究进展

肺动脉高压(pulmonary arterial hypertension,PAH)是一种预后不良的严重疾病,其发病机制仍不清楚.现有的治疗手段不能治愈,只能减缓疾病的进程.动物模型是研究PAH的重要工具,在PAH病理生理机制研究和防治策略评估中发挥极其重要的作用.本文对经典PAH动物模型(缺氧和野百合碱模型)和PAH...     

野百合碱诱导大鼠肺动脉高压及肺源性心脏病的病理生理特征

目的:探讨野百合碱诱发肺动脉高压及肺源性心脏病模型的建立机制。方法:雄性Wistar大鼠20只,随机分为两组(n=10):正常组,模型组。模型组大鼠腹腔一次性注射野百合碱50 mg/kg,对照组注射同剂量的溶媒,28 d后测定大鼠血流动力学参数,硝酸盐还原酶法测定血清和肺组织中一氧化氮的含量;放射免疫法测定血浆中内皮素、脑钠素和肺组织中肿瘤坏死因子、内皮素的含量。结果:与对照组比较,右心室压力上升、心率和平均动脉压下降,血液和肺组织中肿瘤坏死因子、一氧化氮、内皮素-1、脑钠素含量上升,具有统计学意义。结论:野百合碱通过诱发肺血管和组织炎性损伤,升高体内肿瘤坏死因子、一氧化氮、内皮素-1的含量,建立肺动脉高压及肺源性心脏病模型。     

骨髓间充质干细胞移植对大鼠低氧性肺动脉高压的影响

目的：探讨骨髓间充质干细胞（MSCs）移植对大鼠低氧性肺动脉高压（HPH）的影响。方法：体外分离、培养、鉴定SD大鼠骨髓MSCs、绿色荧光蛋白腺病毒标记MSCs细胞。将健康雄性SD大鼠随机分为4组：正常对照组（NC组）8只、低氧性肺动脉高压组（HPH组）8只,低氧性肺动脉高压同时骨髓间充质干细胞移植组（MSCs组）24只,低氧性肺动脉高压同时携带血管内皮生长因子（VEGF）的MSCs移植组（VEGF＋MSCs组）24只。采用常压间歇低氧法建立大鼠肺动脉高压模型,干细胞转染并行干细胞移植。观察大鼠平均肺动脉压力（mPAP）,计算右心室肥厚指数（RVHI）,显微镜下观察各组大鼠肺小动脉形态结构改变,并在荧光显微镜下观察干细胞移植7d,14d,28d时腺病毒转染荧光标记的MSCs在肺小动脉分布及表现。结果：NC组28d时mPAP（mmHg）为15．5±1．5,而HPH组、MSCs组及MSCs＋VEGF组分另q为26．1±1．9、21．6±2．7及20．1±2．9,均明显高于NC组（P〈0．01）,但MSCs组及MSCs＋VEGF组较HPH组明显下降（P〈0．01）,MSCs组与MSCs＋VEGF组无明显差别。NC组28d时RVHI为0．28±0．02,而HPH组、MSCs组及MSCs＋VEGF组RVHI分别为0．43±0．07、0．34±0．03及0．35±0．01,均明显高于NC组（P〈0．01）,但MSCs组及MSCs＋VEGF组较HPH组明显下降（P〈0．05）,MSCs组与MSCs＋VEGF组无明显差别。HPH组28d时,肺小动脉管壁明显增厚,管腔明显狭窄、闭塞,内皮细胞不完整,而MSCs组血管壁较HPH组变薄,管腔通畅,内皮细胞完整性改善,MSC8组及MSCs＋VEGF组的表现改变不明显。结论：骨髓间充质干细胞移植可改善肺小动脉血管重塑,从而部分逆转HPH的进程;而将VEGF与MSCs联合移植并未提高单纯MSCs移植的作用。     

肺动脉高压动物模型的相关研究进展

肺动脉高压动物模型旨在模拟人类疾病特征,是研究者探索该疾病相关病理生理学机制及其治疗措施的重要工具。经典的肺动脉高压动物模型包括药物型、低氧型、手术型等,进来也出现一些新的模型,但这些动物模型都存在着不同的缺陷,不能很好地全面模拟人体肺动脉高压的特征。本文归纳总结了经典的造模方法和近年来出现的新方法,并且分析了各种模型的优势及其局限性,力求为今后实验动物模型的建立提供合适的方向,使其能更好地符合人类疾病特征。     

吴茱萸次碱对肺动脉高压大鼠右心室重构的影响

目的：观察吴茱萸次碱（Rut）对野百合碱（MCT）诱导的肺动脉高压（PH）大鼠右心室重构的作用及机制。方法：SD大鼠48只适应性喂养一周,随机分为正常对照组、Mcr组、MCT＋Rut（20mg／kg）及Mcr＋Rut（40mg／kg）剂量组（n=12）。MCT（60mg／kg）皮下注射诱导PH大鼠模型。连续给药4周后,右颈外静脉插管测定大鼠右心室收缩压（RVSP）、平均肺动脉压（MPAP）。分离大鼠右心室（RV）、左心室＋室间隔（LV＋s）并称重,剥离大鼠胫骨并测量其长度,计算av／（LV＋s）gRV／胫骨长度的比值。HE染色观察右心室病理学变化,Masson染色观察右心室胶原沉积的变化。比色法测定右心室总抗氧化能力（T-AOC）、丙二醛（MDA）含量。Real time PCR、Western blot及免疫组化检测右心室NADPH氧化酶4（NOX4）mRNA和蛋白表达。结果：Rut连续给药4周后能明显降低MCT诱导的PH大鼠RVSP及mPAP,减轻RV／（Lv＋s）及RV重量／胫骨长度的比值,改善右心室病理变化,降低右心室胶原的沉积及collagenI、collagenHI的表达,提高右心室T-AOC水平,降低右心室NOX4的表达及MDA含量。结论：Rut能够缓解野百合碱诱导的PH大鼠右心室重构,其机制可能与抑制NOX4的表达,进而降低氧化应激损伤有关。     

兔异体脂肪干细胞移植的实验研究

目的:建立一种可注射异体脂肪移植模型,观察兔异体脂肪干细胞(adipose-derived stem cells,ADSCs)复合自体脂肪颗粒(adipose granule,AG)和富血小板纤维蛋白(platelet-rich fibrin,PRF)移植后的形态学和免疫学的变化,为临床异体脂肪干细胞移植提供一种实验依据.方法:取30只健康新西兰家兔,随机分成5组:A组,(N=6),移植物为自体AG;B组,(N=6),自体AG+自体PRF;C组(N=6),自体AG+自体ADSCs:D组(N=6),自体AGr自体PRF+自体ADSCs,E组(N＝6),实验组,自体AG+自体PRF+异体ADSCs.在术后1、3、6个月,大体外观、HE染色分析其形态学改变;免疫组化、外周血淋巴细胞亚群CD4/CD8比值、血浆IL2和IL4分析其免疫学改变.结果:术后l、3、6个月在大体外观、免疫组化等D、E两组与A、B、C三组比较均有显著性差异(P＜0.05).E组在淋巴亚群CD4/CD8、血浆IL-2、IL-4等与D组比较均无显著性差异(P＞0.05).结论:异体ADSCs复合自体PRF、AG能够显著提高移植脂肪组织的成活率,并且无明显免疫排斥反应,可为临床异体脂肪干细胞移植提供实验依据.     

Comparison of lung proteome profiles in two rodent models of pulmonary arterial hypertension

We studied the lung proteome changes in two widely used models of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH): monocrotaline (MCT) injection and chronic hypoxia (CH); untreated rats were used as controls (n = 6/group). After 28 days, invasive right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) was measured. Lungs were immunostained for alpha-smooth muscle actin (alphaSMA). 2-DE (n = 4/group) followed by nano-LC-MS/MS was applied for protein identification. Western blotting was used additionally if possible. RVSP was significantly increased in MCT- and CH-rats (MCT 62.5 +/- 4.4 mmHg, CH 62.2 +/- 4.1 mmHg, control 25.0 +/- 1.7 mmHg, p<0.001). This was associated with an increase of alphaSMA positive vessels. In both groups, there was a significantly increased expression of proteins associated with the contractile apparatus (diphosphoHsp27 (p<0.001), Septin2 (p<0.001), F-actin capping protein (p<0.01), and tropomyosin beta (p<0.02)). In CH, proteins of the nitric oxide (Hsc70; p = 0.002), carbon monoxide (biliverdin reductase; p = 0.005), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway (annexin 3; p<0.001) were significantly increased. In MCT, proteins involved in serotonin synthesis (14-3-3; p = 0.02), the enhanced unfolded protein response (ERp57; p = 0.02), and intracellular chloride channels (CLIC 1; p = 0.002) were significantly elevated. Therefore, MCT- and CH-induced vasoconstriction and remodeling seemed to be mediated via different signaling pathways. These differences should be considered in future studies using either PAH model.     

Determinants of an elevated pulmonary arterial pressure in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension

Given the difficulty of diagnosing early-stage pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) due to the lack of signs and symptoms, and the risk of an open lung biopsy, the precise pathological features of presymptomatic stage lung tissue remain unknown. It has been suggested that the maximum elevation of the mean pulmonary arterial pressure (P_pa) is achieved during the early symptomatic stage, indicating that the elevation of the mean P_pa is primarily driven by the pulmonary vascular tone and/or some degree of pulmonary vascular remodeling completed during this stage. Recently, the examination of a rat model of severe PAH suggested that the severe PAH may be primarily determined by the presence of intimal lesions and/or the vascular tone in the early stage. Human data seem to indicate that intimal lesions are essential for the severely increased pulmonary arterial blood pressure in the late stage of the disease.However, many questions remain. For instance, how does the pulmonary hemodynamics change during the course of the disease, and what drives the development of severe PAH? Although it is generally acknowledged that both pulmonary vascular remodeling and the vascular tone are important determinants of an elevated pulmonary arterial pressure, which is the root cause of the time-dependent progression of the disease? Here we review the recent histopathological concepts of PAH with respect to the progression of the lung vascular disease.     

N-acetylcysteine improves established monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertension in rats

Background

The outcome of patients suffering from pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) are predominantly determined by the response of the right ventricle to the increase afterload secondary to high vascular pulmonary resistance. However, little is known about the effects of the current available or experimental PAH treatments on the heart. Recently, inflammation has been implicated in the pathophysiology of PAH. N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a well-known safe anti-oxidant drug, has immuno-modulatory and cardioprotective properties. We therefore hypothesized that NAC could reduce the severity of pulmonary hypertension (PH) in rats exposed to monocrotaline (MCT), lowering inflammation and preserving pulmonary vascular system and right heart function.

Methods

Saline-treated control, MCT-exposed, MCT-exposed and NAC treated rats (day 14–28) were evaluated at day 28 following MCT for hemodynamic parameters (right ventricular systolic pressure, mean pulmonary arterial pressure and cardiac output), right ventricular hypertrophy, pulmonary vascular morphometry, lung inflammatory cells immunohistochemistry (monocyte/macrophages and dendritic cells), IL-6 expression, cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and cardiac fibrosis.

Results

The treatment with NAC significantly decreased pulmonary vascular remodeling, lung inflammation, and improved total pulmonary resistance (from 0.71 ± 0.05 for MCT group to 0.50 ± 0.06 for MCT + NAC group, p < 0.05). Right ventricular function was also improved with NAC treatment associated with a significant decrease in cardiomyocyte hypertrophy (625 ± 69 vs. 439 ± 21 μm² for MCT and MCT + NAC group respectively, p < 0.001) and heart fibrosis (14.1 ± 0.8 vs. 8.8 ± 0.1% for MCT and MCT + NAC group respectively, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Through its immuno-modulatory and cardioprotective properties, NAC has beneficial effect on pulmonary vascular and right heart function in experimental PH.     

Fasudil dichloroacetate (FDCA), an orally available agent with potent therapeutic efficiency on monocrotaline-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension rats

Given the therapeutic efficacy of fasudil hydrochloride (F) and dichloroacetate (DCA) on pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a new salt fasudil dichloroacetate (FDCA) was designed, synthesized and biologically evaluated. FDCA exhibited comparable ROCK II inhibitory activity relative to fasudil hydrochloride, and suppressed the expression of TNF-α and IL-6 in both PDGF-BB and hypoxia-treated pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) and endothelial cells (PAECs). Significantly, FDCA lowered mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) and right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP), and decreased right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH) in monocrotaline (MCT)-induced PAH rats. Meanwhile, FDCA remarkably decreased pulmonary artery medial thickness (PAMT) and hyperplasia, restoring the elasticity of elastic fiber, reduced cardiac hypertrophy, and attenuated fibrosis of heart and lung. Collectively, FDCA exhibited triple activities of pulmonary vasodilation, vascular remodeling inhibition and RVH inhibition, suggesting that it may be a promising agent for PAH intervention.     

A low resting heart rate at diagnosis predicts favourable long-term outcome in pulmonary arterial and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. A prospective observational study

Background

A low resting heart rate (HR) is prognostically favourable in healthy individuals and in patients with left heart disease. In this study we investigated the impact of HR at diagnosis on long-term outcome in patients with differently classified precapillary pulmonary hypertension (pPH).

Methods

pPH patients diagnosed as pulmonary arterial (PAH) or inoperable chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) were registered and regularly followed at our centre Baseline characteristics and events defined as either death or lung transplantation were noted. The prognostic value of HR was analysed using Kaplan Meier estimates, live tables and Cox regression.

Results

206 patients with PAH (148) and inoperable CTEPH (58) were included. The median HR was 82 bpm. pPH with a HR below 82 bpm had a significantly longer overall event-free survival (2409 vs.1332 days, p = .000). This advantage was similarly found if PAH and CTEPH were analysed separately. Although a lower HR was associated with a better hemodynamic and functional class, HR was a strong and independent prognostic marker for transplant free survival even if corrected for age, sex, hemodynamics and functional status.

Conclusion

We show that resting HR at diagnosis is a strong and independent long-term prognostic marker in PAH and CTEPH. Whether reducing HR by pharmacological agents would improve outcome in pPH has to be assessed by future trials with high attention to safety.     

Oxymatrine prevents hypoxia- and monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertension in rats

Pulmonary hypertension is a progressive disease characterized by marked pulmonary arterial remodeling and increased vascular resistance. Inflammation and oxidative stress promote the development of pulmonary hypertension. Oxymatrine, one of the main active components of the Chinese herb Sophora flavescens Ait. (Kushen), plays anti-inflammatory and antioxidant protective roles, which effects on pulmonary arteries remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of oxymatrine on pulmonary hypertension development. Sprague–Dawley rats were exposed to hypoxia for 28 days or injected with monocrotaline, to develop pulmonary hypertension, along with administration of oxymatrine (50 mg/kg/day). Hemodynamics and pulmonary arterial remodeling data from the rats were then obtained. The antiproliferative effect of oxymatrine was verified by in vitro assays. The inflammatory cytokine mRNA levels and leukocyte and T cell accumulation in lung tissue were detected. The antioxidative effects of oxymatrine were explored in vitro. Our study shows that oxymatrine treatment attenuated right-ventricular systolic pressure and pulmonary arterial remodeling induced by hypoxia or monocrotaline and inhibited proliferation of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs). Increased expression of inflammatory cytokine mRNA and accumulation of leukocytes and T cells around the pulmonary arteries were suppressed with oxymatrine administration. Under hypoxic conditions, oxymatrine significantly upregulated Nrf2 and antioxidant protein SOD1 and HO-1 expression, but downregulated hydroperoxide levels in PASMCs. In summary, this study indicates that oxymatrine may prevent pulmonary hypertension through its antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects, thus providing a promising pharmacological avenue for treating pulmonary hypertension.     

A novel adipocytokine,omentin, inhibits monocrotaline-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension in rats

Omentin is a novel adipocytokine mainly expressed in visceral rather than subcutaneous adipose tissue. Several epidemiological studies demonstrated the negative relationship between blood omentin level and occurrence of obesity, type 2 diabetes and hypertension. Increases of inflammatory responses, contractile reactivity and structural remodeling of vascular wall contribute to hypertension development. Our in vitro studies previously demonstrated that omentin inhibited those hypertension-related pathological processes. In addition, our in vivo study demonstrated that intravenously injected omentin acutely inhibited agonists-induced increases of blood pressure in rats. However, the chronic effects of omentin on hypertension development are not determined. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that chronic omentin treatment may inhibit pulmonary arterial (PA) hypertension (PAH). PAH was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of monocrotaline (MCT: 60 mg/kg) to rats. Omentin (18 μg/kg/day) was intraperitoneally treated for 14 days. Chronic omentin treatment inhibited MCT-induced increases in PA pressure. Omentin inhibited MCT-induced right ventricular hypertrophy as well as increase of lung to body weight ratio. Histologically, omentin inhibited MCT-induced PA hyperplasia. Further, omentin inhibited the impairment of both endothelium-dependent and -independent relaxations mediated by acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside, respectively. In conclusion, we for the first time demonstrate that chronic omentin treatment inhibits MCT-induced PAH in rats via inhibiting vascular structural remodeling and abnormal contractile reactivity.