The NO donor molsidomine reduces endothelin-1 gene expression in chronic hypoxic rat lungs

Citation
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
ISSN journal
10400605 → ACNP
Volume
280
Issue
2
Year of publication
2001
Pages
L258 - L263
Database
ISI
SICI code
1040-0605(200102)280:2<L258:TNDMRE>2.0.ZU;2-D
Abstract
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.