Abstract |
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of integripetal rhodiola herb on pulmonary arterial remodeling and expression of vascular endothelial growth factor ( VEGF) in high altitude pulmonary hypertension in rats. Fifty healthy male Wistar rats were divided into five groups randomly: Plain control group (LC group), 10-day plateau group (H(10) group), 30-day plateau group (H(30) group), 10-day rhodiola-treated plateau group (R(10) group), and 30-day rhodiola-treated plateau group (R(30) group). Each group included 10 rats. The rats in LC group were kept in Chengdu (500 meters above sea level), and rats in H and R groups were kept in Lhasa (3 700 meters above sea level). The rats in R group were daily treated with integripetal rhodiola herb extract (24%, 10 mL/kg) intragastrically for 10 d or 30 d, while rats in LC and H groups were treated with the same volume of saline. Mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) was detected via a catheter in the pulmonary artery by pressure waveform monitoring. The ratio value of right ventricle weight to left ventricle plus septum weight [RV/(LV + S)] was measured. The microstructure of pulmonary arterioles was examined by electron microscopy. The expression of VEGF in the lung was investigated using immunohistochemistry. The results showed that mPAP and [RV/(LV + S)] in H(10) group and H(30) group were higher than those in LC group (P < 0.05); but there was no significant difference between H(10) group and R(10) group (P < 0.05); and mPAP and [RV/(LV + S)] in H(30) group were lower than those in H(30) group (P < 0.05). Electron microscopy showed that compared to LC group, arteriolar endothelial cells were arranged in a columnar or palisading form, protruding into the lumen, accompanied with luminal stenosis, irregular internal elastic membrane, and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells in H groups, which was more obvious in H(30) group than in H(10) group; while these pathological changes were attenuated in the R groups compared to H groups. The levels of VEGF protein in H groups were also higher than those in LC group (P < 0.05); while the expression of VEGF in R(30) group was lower than that in H(30) group. In summary, the results show that the integripetal rhodiola herb can attenuate high altitude-induced pulmonary arterial remodeling in rats, and the inhibition of VEGF protein expression by rhodiola may be one of the mechanisms.
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Authors | Ma-Kang-Zhuo Bai, Yan Guo, Ba-Dun-Zhu Bian, Hai Dong, Tao Wang, Feng Luo, Fu-Qiang Wen, Chao-Ying Cui |
Journal | Sheng li xue bao : [Acta physiologica Sinica]
(Sheng Li Xue Bao)
Vol. 63
Issue 2
Pg. 143-8
(Apr 25 2011)
ISSN: 0371-0874 [Print] China |
PMID | 21505729
(Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- Drugs, Chinese Herbal
- RNA, Messenger
- Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
- vascular endothelial growth factor A, rat
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Topics |
- Altitude
- Altitude Sickness
(prevention & control)
- Animals
- Arterioles
(metabolism, pathology)
- Drugs, Chinese Herbal
(pharmacology)
- Hypertension, Pulmonary
(metabolism, pathology, physiopathology)
- Male
- Pulmonary Artery
(metabolism, pathology)
- RNA, Messenger
(metabolism)
- Rats
- Rats, Wistar
- Rhodiola
- Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
(metabolism)
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