[Changes of apelin and its receptor in lung tissue of rats with pulmonary hypertension induced by monocrotaline].

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To observe the change of apelin and its receptor (APJ) in the lung tissue of rats with pulmonary hypertension induced by monocrotaline and to explore its significance.

METHODS:

Twenty-five male SD rats were randomly divided into control group (n = 10) and monocrotaline group (n = 15). On the twenty-first day after the rats were intraperitoneally injected 60 mg/kg monocrotaline for monocrotaline group or equal volume vehicle for control group, the mean pulmonary artery pressure was measured by right heart catheterization. Histopathological study of lung tissue was done with hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Masson's trichrome staining. The concentration of apelin in the plasma was measured by radioimmunoassay. The expressions of apelin/APJ proteins and genes in lung tissue were measured respectively by Western blot and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTS:

The mean pulmonary arterial pressure, right ventricular hypertrophy, pulmonary vascular remodeling index, content of apelin protein in lung tissue of monocrotaline group were higher than those in control group. APJ protein and gene expression in monocrotaline group were significantly lower than those in control group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), but apelin gene expression in the lung tissue between the two groups had no significant difference.

CONCLUSION:

Endogenous apelin/APJ dysfunction may play an important role in the development of pulmonary hypertension induced by monocrotaline.

• Authors: Qing Wang, Gui-Qin Wang, Ling-Xia Pang, Feng Xue, Xing-Yan Chen, Ran Chen, Xiao-Xia Kong, Yong-Sheng Gong, Xiao-Fang Fan
• Journal: Zhongguo ying yong sheng li xue za zhi = Zhongguo yingyong shenglixue zazhi = Chinese journal of applied physiology (Zhongguo Ying Yong Sheng Li Xue Za Zhi) Vol. 29 Issue 2 Pg. 101-5 (Mar 2013) ISSN: 1000-6834 [Print] China
• PMID: 23833956 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Apelin
• Apelin Receptors
• Apln protein, rat
• Aplnr protein, rat
• Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
• Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
• Monocrotaline

Topics

• Animals
• Apelin
• Apelin Receptors
• Hypertension, Pulmonary (chemically induced, metabolism)
• Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins (metabolism)
• Lung (metabolism)
• Male
• Monocrotaline (adverse effects)
• Rats
• Rats, Sprague-Dawley
• Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled (metabolism)