• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제20권6호
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• pp.641-647
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• 2016

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a progressive disease characterized by vascular remodeling of pulmonary arteries (PAs) and increased vascular resistance in the lung. Monocrotaline (MCT), a toxic alkaloid, is widely used for developing rat models of PAH caused by injury to pulmonary endothelial cells; however, characteristics of vascular functions in MCT-induced PAH vary and are not fully understood. Here, we investigated hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV) responses and effects of various vasoconstrictors with isolated/perfused lungs of MCT-induced PAH (PAH-MCT) rats. Using hematoxylin and eosin staining, we confirmed vascular remodeling (i.e., medial thickening of PA) and right ventricle hypertrophy in PAH-MCT rats. The basal pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) and PAP increase by a raised flow rate (40 mL/min) were higher in the PAH-MCT than in the control rats. In addition, both high $K^+$ (40 mM KCl)- and angiotensin II-induced PAP increases were higher in the PAH-MCT than in the control rats. Surprisingly, application of a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, L-$N^G$-Nitroarginine methyl ester (L-NAME), induced a marked PAP increase in the PAH-MCT rats, suggesting that endothelial functions were recovered in the three-week PAH-MCT rats. In addition, the medial thickening of the PA was similar to that in chronic hypoxia-induced PAH (PAH-CH) rats. However, the HPV response (i.e., PAP increased by acute hypoxia) was not affected in the MCT rats, whereas HPV disappeared in the PAH-CH rats. These results showed that vascular contractility and HPV remain robust in the MCT-induced PAH rat model with vascular remodeling.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제59권6호
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• pp.262-270
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• 2016

Purpose: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) leads to right ventricular failure (RVF) as well as an increase in pulmonary vascular resistance. Our purpose was to study the effect of sildenafil on right ventricular remodeling in a rat model of monocrotaline (MCT)-induced RVF. Methods: The rats were distributed randomly into 3 groups. The control (C) group, the monocrotaline (M) group (MCT 60 mg/kg) and the sildenafil (S) group (MCT 60 mg/kg+ sildenafil 30 mg/kg/day for 28 days). Masson Trichrome staining was used for heart tissues. Western blot analysis and immunohistochemical staining were performed. Results: The mean right ventricular pressure (RVP) was significantly lower in the S group at weeks 1, 2, and 4. The number of intra-acinar arteries and the medial wall thickness of the pulmonary arterioles significantly lessened in the S group at week 4. The collagen content also decreased in heart tissues in the S group at week 4. Protein expression levels of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2)-associated X, caspase-3, Bcl-2, interleukin (IL)-6, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), endothelin (ET)-1 and ET receptor A (ERA) in lung tissues greatly decreased in the S group at week 4 according to immunohistochemical staining. According to Western blotting, protein expression levels of troponin I, brain natriuretic peptide, caspase-3, Bcl-2, tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, IL-6, MMP-2, eNOS, ET-1, and ERA in heart tissues greatly diminished in the S group at week 4. Conclusion: Sildenafil alleviated right ventricular hypertrophy and mean RVP. These data suggest that sildenafil improves right ventricular function.

• Korean Circulation Journal
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• 제48권12호
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• pp.1135-1144
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• 2018

Background and Objectives: Mitochondria play a key role in the pathophysiology of heart failure and mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) play a critical role in cell death and a critical target for cardioprotection. The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effects of cyclosporine A (CsA), one of MPTP blockers, and morphological changes of mitochondria and MPTP related proteins in monocrotaline (MCT) induced pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Methods: Eight weeks old Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized to control, MCT (60 mg/kg) and MCT plus CsA (10 mg/kg/day) treatment groups. Four weeks later, right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH) and morphological changes of right ventricle (RV) were done. Western blot and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for MPTP related protein were performed. Results: In electron microscopy, CsA treatment prevented MCT-induced mitochondrial disruption of RV. RVH was significantly increased in MCT group compared to that of the controls but RVH was more increased with CsA treatment. Thickened medial wall thickness of pulmonary arteriole in PAH was not changed after CsA treatment. In western blot, caspase-3 was significantly increased in MCT group, and was attenuated in CsA treatment. There were no significant differences in voltage-dependent anion channel, adenine nucleotide translocator 1 and cyclophilin D expression in western blot and RT-PCR between the 3 groups. Conclusions: CsA reduces MCT induced RV mitochondrial damage. Although, MPTP blocking does not reverse pulmonary pathology, it may reduce RV dysfunction in PAH. The results suggest that it could serve as an adjunctive therapy to PAH treatment.

• Applied Microscopy
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• 제37권1호
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• pp.1-10
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• 2007

MCT 유발 간독성 흰쥐에 해독정기탕의 투여가 시간경과에 따른 간세포의 항산화효소 활성변화, 세포사멸 억제와 간의 조직병리학적 변화에 미치는 영향을 조사하였다. 대조군은 생리식염수를 투여하였으며, 실험군은 해독정기탕 0.9 mL을 6시간, 24시간 간격으로 경구투여 하였다. 간기능의 지표가 되는 GPT 효소 활성은 해독정기탕 투여한 6시간 군에서 대조군에 비해 감소하였다. 항산화 효소인 SOD, catalase 활성도의 변화에 있어서도 6시간 실험군에서 변화를 보여주었고 24시간 경과 후에는 대조군과 실험군의 통계적인 유의성은 없었다. 간의 조직병리학적 관찰 결과 대조군은 심한 출혈, 간세포의 팽창과 중심정맥 내피세포의 파괴 현상이 뚜렷이 나타났으며, 24시간 경과 후에는 핵질의 응축과 사립체의 팽대현상이 현저하였다. 반면 해독정기탕 투여후 6시간 실험군은 일부 세포괴사와 세포사멸 보호 및 회복효과를 관찰하였다. 이상의 연구 결과로 보아 해독정기탕은 투여시간에 따라 간 기능회복 및 해독, 간세포의 항산화 활성변화, 세포사멸의 보호효과 약물로서 작용함이 사료된다.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제61권9호
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• pp.271-278
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• 2018

Purpose: Abnormal potassium channels expression affects vessel function, including vascular tone and proliferation rate. Diverse potassium channels, including voltage-gated potassium (Kv) channels, are involved in pathological changes of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Since the role of the Kv1.7 channel in PAH has not been previously studied, we investigated whether Kv1.7 channel expression changes in the lung tissue of a monocrotaline (MCT)-induced PAH rat model and whether this change is influenced by the endothelin (ET)-1 and reactive oxygen species (ROS) pathways. Methods: Rats were separated into 2 groups: the control (C) group and the MCT (M) group (60 mg/kg MCT). A hemodynamic study was performed by catheterization into the external jugular vein to estimate the right ventricular pressure (RVP), and pathological changes in the lung tissue were investigated. Changes in protein and mRNA levels were confirmed by western blot and polymerase chain reaction analysis, respectively. Results: MCT caused increased RVP, medial wall thickening of the pulmonary arterioles, and increased expression level of ET-1, ET receptor A, and NADPH oxidase (NOX) 4 proteins. Decreased Kv1.7 channel expression was detected in the lung tissue. Inward-rectifier channel 6.1 expression in the lung tissue also increased. We confirmed that ET-1 increased NOX4 level and decreased glutathione peroxidase-1 level in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs). ET-1 increased ROS level in PASMCs. Conclusion: Decreased Kv1.7 channel expression might be caused by the ET-1 and ROS pathways and contributes to MCT-induced PAH.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제40권3호
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• pp.285-291
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• 2016

Background: Ginsenosides have been shown to exert beneficial pharmacological effects on the central nervous, cardiovascular, and endocrine systems. We sought to determine whether total ginsenosides (TG) inhibit monocrotaline (MCT)-induced pulmonary hypertension and to elucidate the underlying mechanism. Methods: MCT-intoxicated rats were treated with gradient doses of TG, with or without $N^G$-nitro-$\small{L}$-arginine methyl ester. The levels of molecules involving the regulation of nitric oxide and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways were determined. Results: TG ameliorated MCT-induced pulmonary hypertension in a dose-dependent manner, as assessed by the right ventricular systolic pressure, the right ventricular hypertrophy index, and pulmonary arterial remodeling. Furthermore, TG increased the levels of pulmonary nitric oxide, endothelial nitric oxide synthase, and cyclic guanosine monophosphate. Lastly, TG increased mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase-1 expression and promoted the dephosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases 1/2, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, and c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase 1/2. Conclusion: TG attenuates MCT-induced pulmonary hypertension, which may involve in part the regulation of nitric oxide and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways.

• KSBB Journal
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• 제13권2호
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• pp.155-161
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• 1998

The hairy roots of Crotalaria sessiliflora were induced from the tissue segments infected with Agrobacterium rhizogenes ATCC 15834. The induced hairy roots were subjected to paper electrophoresis fro the detection of opine-positive clones which were considered to have been transformed. Mannopine and agropine were presented in hairy root clones while mannopine was presented in two hairy root clones. Eight hairy root clones were selected and cultured in MS, B5 and WP media. Each of hairy root clones was showed a difference in branch pattern and growth rate. The best culture medium and culture conditions of hairy roots were in $\frac{1}{2}$MS(3% sucrose, pH 5.7) liquid medium at 25$^\circ C$, 70 rpm under dark, the growth rate in $\frac{1}{2}$MS liquid medium was increased with 210-fold more than that of inoculated hairy roots and with 2-fold more than that in MS liquid medium. Also, the adequate condition for hairy root growth was such that concentration of KH$_2PO$_4 was 1.25mM and the ratio of NH${_4}{^+}$ : NO${_3}{^-}$ was 1 to 3 in MS medium. The presence of pyrrolizidine alkaloids, monocrotaline, in the hairy roots was detected by TLC.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제6권2호
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• pp.121-125
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• 2002

The pathophysiological implications of aldosterone and adrenomedullin in the cardiac ventricular hypertrophy were examined. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt and monocrotaline (MCT) to selectively elicit left and right ventricular (LV, RV) hypertrophy, respectively. The mRNA expression of aldosterone synthase and adrenomedullin in LV and RV was determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The expression of aldosterone synthase and adrenomedullin was increased in LV, while not altered significantly in RV of DOCA-salt-treated rats. On the contrary, the expression was not significantly altered in LV, but increased in RV of MCT-treated rats. The enhanced expression of aldosterone synthase may be causally related with the development of ventricular hypertrophy, and the increased expression of adrenomedullin may act as a counter-regulatory mechanism.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제5권1호
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• pp.65-70
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• 2001

The present study was aimed to explore pathophysiological implications of nitric oxide in the development of left and right ventricular hypertrophy. To induce selective left and right ventricular hypertrophy, rats were made two-kidney, one clip (2K1C) hypertensive and treated with monocrotaline (MCT), respectively. Six weeks later, the hearts were taken and their ventricular tissue mRNA and protein expression of endothelial constitutive isoform of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) were determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis, respectively. In 2K1C hypertensive rats, the expression of NOS mRNA was increased in parallel with its proteins in the left ventricle, but not in the right ventricle. In MCT-treated rats, the expression of NOS mRNA and proteins were proportionally increased in the right ventricle, but not in the left ventricle. These results suggest that the expression of NOS is specifically increased in association with the ventricular hypertrophy, which may be a mechanism counteracting the hypertrophy.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제22권4호
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• pp.447-456
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• 2018

Angiotensin-(1-9) [Ang-(1-9)], generated from Ang I by Ang II converting enzyme 2, has been reported to have protective effects on cardiac and vascular remodeling. However, there is no report about the effect of Ang-(1-9) on pulmonary hypertension. The aim of the present study is to investigate whether Ang-(1-9) improves pulmonary vascular remodeling in monocrotaline (MCT)-induced pulmonary hypertensive rats. Sprague-Dawley rats received Ang-(1-9) ($576{\mu}g/kg/day$) or saline via osmotic mini-pumps for 3 weeks. Three days after implantation of osmotic mini-pumps, 50 mg/kg MCT or vehicle were subcutaneously injected. MCT caused increases in right ventricular weight and systolic pressure, which were reduced by co-administration of Ang-(1-9). Ang-(1-9) also attenuated endothelial damage and medial hypertrophy of pulmonary arterioles as well as pulmonary fibrosis induced by MCT. The protective effects of Ang-(1-9) against pulmonary hypertension were inhibited by Ang type 2 receptor ($AT_2R$) blocker, but not by Mas receptor blocker. Additionally, the levels of LDH and inflammatory cytokines, such as $TNF-{\alpha}$, MCP-1, $IL-1{\beta}$, and IL-6, in plasma were lower in Ang-(1-9) co-treated MCT group than in vehicle-treated MCT group. Changes in expressions of apoptosis-related proteins such as Bax, Bcl2, Caspase-3 and -9 in the lung tissue of MCT rats were attenuated by the treatment with Ang-(1-9). These results indicate that Ang-(1-9) improves MCT-induced pulmonary hypertension by decreasing apoptosis and inflammatory reaction via $AT_2R$.