Abstract:

Objective  To investigate the expressions of connective tissue growth factor(CTGF) and transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1) in pulmonary vascular, and to find if fasudil, a Rho kinase inhibitor, has  protective effect on this high blood flow induced pulmonary hypertension model and its possible mechanism. Methods  The rat model of pulmonary hypertension was established by right carotid artery-external jugular vein shunt operation. 75 male Wister rats were randomly divided into the control group, the 2-week shunt model group, the 4-week shunt model group, the 2-week fasudil group and the 4-week fasudil group (15 in each group). The right ventricle systolic pressure (RVSP) and small pulmonary arterial morphologic changes in each group were studied with a microscope for morphometric analysis. The Expressions of CTGF and TGF-β1 were investigated by Western blot and immunohistochemistry. Results  Pulmonary arterial morphologic changes in the 2 shunt groups showed  that WT%, RVSP, CTGF expression and TGF-β1 expression increased significantly. However in the 2 fasudil groups, CTGF and TGF-β1 expressions deceased more significantly than in the corresponding shunt groups. Conclusion  Fasudil may partly prevent the development of pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary vascular remodeling and decrease expressions of CTGF and TGF-β1 in high flow induced pulmonary hypertension.

Key words: Connective tissue growth factor； Transforming growth factor-β1； Fasudil； Pulmonary hypertension； Rats， Wistar