TETRANDRINE PREVENTS MONOCROTALINE-INDUCED PULMONARY-HYPERTENSION IN RATS

In this study, the effects of chronic administration of tetrandrine (T ET) on monocrotaline (MCT) induced pulmonary hypertension were investi gated. The results showed that MCT induced marked pulmonary hypertensi on and right ventricular hypertrophy; TET 50 mg kg(-1) and 100 mg kg(- 1) significantly decreased pulmonary artery pressure (Ppa, from 5.2+/- 0.48 kPa to 4.35+/-0.69 kPa, P <0.05 and to 3.79 +/-0.84 kPa, P <0.05, respectively) without marked influence on systemic arterial pressure (Psa). TET restored right ventricular hypertrophy (right ventricular i ndex significantly decreased from 0.41 to 0.37 and 0.32, respectively) . Histological findings showed that TET restored MCT-induced lung tiss ues and vascular lesion and pulmonary arteries media hypertrophy. We c onclude that chronic administration of TET does have selective effects on pulmonary hypertension produced by MCT. (C) 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.