Prevention of mast cell degranulation by disodium cromoglycate attenuates the development of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension in rats exposed to chronic hypoxia.
BACKGROUND
Chronic hypoxia induces lung vascular remodeling, which results in pulmonary hypertension. Vascular remodeling is associated with collagenolysis and activation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). One of the possible sources of MMPs in hypoxic lung are mast cells.


OBJECTIVE
The role of lung mast cell collagenolytic activity in hypoxic pulmonary hypertension was tested by the inhibitor of mast cell degranulation disodium cromoglycate (DSCG).


METHODS
Rats were treated with DSCG in an early or later phase of isobaric hypoxia. Control groups were exposed to hypoxia only or to normoxia. Lung hemodynamics, muscularization and collagen metabolism in the walls of peripheral pulmonary vessels in the lungs were measured.


RESULTS
DSCG applied at an early phase of exposure to hypoxia reduced the development of pulmonary hypertension, inhibited muscularization in peripheral pulmonary arteries and decreased the amount of collagen cleavage fragments in prealveolar vessels.


CONCLUSIONS
Mast cell degranulation plays a role in the initiation of hypoxic pulmonary vascular remodeling.
Banasová
Alena
A
Department of Physiology, Charles University Second Medical School Prague, Prague, Czech Republic.
Maxová
Hana
H
Hampl
Václav
V
Vízek
Martin
M
Povýsilová
Viera
V
Novotná
Jana
J
Vajnerová
Olga
O
Hnilicková
Olga
O
Herget
Jan
J
D000818:Animals; D015550:Cell Degranulation / Q000187:drug effects; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism; D004205:Cromolyn Sodium / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D011651:Pulmonary Artery / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D003094:Collagen; D004205:Cromolyn Sodium