title: Prevention of mast cell degranulation by disodium cromoglycate attenuates the development of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension in rats exposed to chronic hypoxia.
abstract: 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.
authors: Department of Physiology, Charles University Second Medical School Prague, Prague, Czech Republic.
authors: Alena
authors: A
authors: Banasová
authors: Hana
authors: H
authors: Maxová
authors: Václav
authors: V
authors: Hampl
authors: Martin
authors: M
authors: Vízek
authors: Viera
authors: V
authors: Povýsilová
authors: Jana
authors: J
authors: Novotná
authors: Olga
authors: O
authors: Vajnerová
authors: Olga
authors: O
authors: Hnilicková
authors: Jan
authors: J
authors: Herget
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D003094:Collagen; D004205:Cromolyn Sodium