Fc. Blumberg et al., The NO donor molsidomine reduces endothelin-1 gene expression in chronic hypoxic rat lungs, AM J P-LUNG, 280(2), 2001, pp. L258-L263
Citations number
31
Categorie Soggetti
da verificare
Journal title
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-LUNG CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR PHYSIOLOGY
We investigated the effects of the nitric oxide (NO) donor molsidomine and
the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME
) on pulmonary endothelin (ET)-1 gene expression and ET-1 plasma levels in
chronic hypoxic rats. Two and four weeks of hypoxia (10% O-2) significantly
increased right ventricular systolic pressure, the medial cross-sectional
vascular wall area of the pulmonary arteries, and pulmonary ET-1 mRNA expre
ssion (2-fold and 3.2-fold, respectively). ET-1 plasma levels were elevated
after 4 wk of hypoxia. In rats exposed to 4 wk of hypoxia, molsidomine (15
mg.kg(-1).day(-1)) given either from the beginning or after 2 wk of hypoxi
a significantly reduced pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary vascular remodeli
ng, pulmonary ET-1 gene expression, and ET-1 plasma levels. L-NAME administ
ration (45 mg.kg(-1).day(-1)) in rats subjected to 2 wk of hypoxia did not
modify these parameters. Our findings suggest that in chronic hypoxic rats,
exogenously administered NO acts in part by suppressing the formation of E
T-1. In contrast, inhibition of endogenous NO production exerts only minor
effects on the pulmonary circulation and pulmonary ET-1 synthesis in these
animals.