[The experimental study on pathological changes of pulmonary tissues in portal hypertensive rabbits with schistosomal cirrhosis].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the pathologic features of the pulmonary tissue in portal hypertensive rabbits with schistosomal cirrhosis, and to study the role of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and nitric oxide (NO) in pathogenesis of portal hypertensive pulmonary vasculopathy.


METHODS
The experimental group included 10 rabbits infected percutaneously with cercariae of Schistosomiasis Japonica. The control group included 10 normal rabbits. HE stain, Masson trichrome stain and transmission electron microscopy were applied to detect the pathologic features of the pulmonary tissue. The expression and distribution of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in the lung tissues were analyzed by immunohistochemistry.


RESULTS
After 120 d, the pathological morphology alteration of the pulmonary tissue was observed in the rabbits in experimental group. Both of ET-1 and NOS-containing cells were more abundant in distribution and expression in the lung tissue of experimental group than those of the control group. There was significant difference between the two groups in the parameter of area, lightness and gray level of ET-1 and NOS (P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Pulmonary pathologic changes occur in the portal hypertensive rabbits with schistosomal cirrhosis. ET-1 and NOS-containing cells are more abundant in pulmonary vessel of portal hypertension, then followed by dilation of intrapulmonary vessel. It is deduced that ET-1 and NO might play an important role in the pathogenesis of portal hypertensive pulmonary vasculopathy.
Zhou
Yong-gui
YG
Department of Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China. zhouyghq@sina.com
Yang
Zhen
Z
Li
Dong-jian
DJ
D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D019332:Endothelin-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D008106:Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental / Q000150:complications*; D008168:Lung / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000378:metabolism; D011817:Rabbits; D012552:Schistosomiasis / Q000150:complications*
D019332:Endothelin-1; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase