1. The systemic and splanchnic haemodynamic effects of
pentifylline (40 mg/kg
body weight intravenously) were assessed in rats with
portal hypertension associated either with CCl4-induced
cirrhosis (n = 13) or portal vein
ligation (n = 13). 2. Heparinized
catheters were placed into the portal vein, inferior vena cava, aorta and left ventricle with exits from the neck. Haemodynamic studies were performed 4 h after consciousness was regained. Cardiac output and regional blood flows were measured using radiolabelled
microspheres and the reference sample method in seven rats in each group; portal-systemic shunting was measured using
microsphere injection in the ileo-
colic vein in six rats in each group. 3. Forty-five minutes after injection,
pentifylline had no effect on mean arterial pressure, cardiac output, peripheral resistance, portal venous flow, hepatic artery flow or portal-systemic shunting in either group of rats with
portal hypertension. The
drug lowered portal pressure (-18%) in cirrhotic rats, but not in portal-vein-ligated rats. 4. These data demonstrate that
pentifylline lowers portal pressure in cirrhotic rats without affecting portal venous flow and portal-systemic shunting; this effect is possibly mediated by changes in intrahepatic resistance related to the effects of
pentifylline on blood viscosity and/or on intrahepatic vasomotor tone.