THE INHIBITORY EFFECTS OF RADIX-ASTRAGALI ON HYPOXIC PULMONARY-HYPERTENSION OF RATS

Objective To observe the inhibitory effects of Radix Astragali (RA) on hypoxic structural remodeling of intraacinar pulmonary arteries (IAPA ) and pulmonary hypertension (PHT). Methods Sixty rats were divided in to three groups: hypoxia group, hypoxia + RA group and normal control group. The rats of hypoxia group and hypoxia + RA group were fed in hy poxic environment under normal atmospheric pressure (10% O-2, 10 h/day ). On the 15 th and 30 th day of hypoxia, right ventricular systolic p ressure (RVSP) and right ventricle hypertrophy index (RVHI) were measu red and pulmonary vessel changes were studied under light and electron microscope and with morphometric analysis. Results Compared with the result of hypoxia + RA group, RA could relieve IAPA wall cell injuries and dilate the constricted IAPA induced by hypoxia. RA could also inh ibit hypertrophic changes in the tunica media and proliferation of adv entitial cells of the IAPA and muscularization of nonmuscular arteries . Conclusion By preserving the IAPA wall cells and dilating IAPA, RA m ay play an important role in inhibiting the remodeling of IAPA and pre venting PHT.