Effects of fasudil on hypoxic pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary vascular remodeling in rats.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Rho kinase inhibitor-Fasudil on hypoxic pulmonary hypertension (HPH) and pulmonary vascular remodeling in rats.


METHODS
A total of 24 Sprague Dawley rats were evenly randomized into control, model and Fasudil intervention groups. Light and transmission electron microscopy were utilized to observe pulmonary vascular remodeling as well as ultrastructural changes in pulmonary arteriole endothelial cells.


RESULTS
The model group showed apparent pulmonary vascular remodeling, pulmonary arteriole endothelial cell injury, the proliferation and swelling of smooth muscle cells around, and the proliferation of collagen fibers. Fasudil intervention improved pulmonary vascular remodeling as well as relieved pulmonary arteriole endothelial cell injury and the proliferation of smooth muscle cells and collagen fibers.


CONCLUSIONS
Fasudil has preventive and reverse effects on HPH, pulmonary vascular remodeling, and pulmonary arteriole endothelial cell injury.
Department of Pediatrics, Huai'an First People's Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Huai'an, P. R. China. xiangyangtiancn@126.com.
X-Z
XZ
Sun
X-Y
XY
Tian
D-W
DW
Wang
J
J
Li
D019307:1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D001160:Arterioles / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008297:Male; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011651:Pulmonary Artery / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D066253:Vascular Remodeling / Q000187:drug effects; D054460:rho-Associated Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*
D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D019307:1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine; D054460:rho-Associated Kinases; C049347:fasudil