Tetrandrine is a
calcium channel antagonist with reported
antihypertensive effect. However, the potential role of
tetrandrine as a therapeutic agent in
portal hypertension has yet to be explored. The present study aimed to investigate the haemodynamic effects of chronic
tetrandrine treatment on portal hypertensive rats.
Portal hypertension was induced by partial portal vein
ligation in Sprague-Dawley rats. Animals were allocated into one of two groups: a
tetrandrine group and a vehicle group.
Tetrandrine (20 mg/kg) or vehicle was administered by gavage every 12 h for 8 consecutive days, starting 1 day before
ligation and continuing thereafter. After 8 days of
tetrandrine treatment, systemic haemodynamics, organ blood flow and the degree of portal-systemic shunting were measured after an overnight fast. The portal venous pressure and protal tributary blood flow were significantly decreased, while portal territory as well as hepto-collateral vascular resistance significantly increased in the
tetrandrine group compared with the vehicle group. The cardiac index was increased, while systemic vascular resistance was decreased, the the
tetrandrine group. Mean arterial pressure, heart rate, portal-systemic shunting and bodyweight were similar between the two groups. Renal blood flow was decreased in the
tetrandrine group. In conclusion, long-term treatment of
tetrandrine reduced portal venous pressure and alleviated splanchnic hyperaemina in portal hypertensive rats without affecting the portal-systemic shunting.