Title: Expression of Rho kinase in lung tissue of rats with hypoxic pulmonary hypertension and its significance
Abstract: Objective To investigate the expression of Rho kinase in lung tissue of rats with hypoxic pulmonary hypertension(HPH) ,and to explore the effects of its inhibitor fasudil on HPH. Methods Twenty-four Spraque-Dawley male rats were randomly divided into control group(n=8) ,HPH model group(n=8) and fasudil intervention group(n=8) .Mean pulmonary arterial pressure(mPAP) and right ventricle hypertrophy index(RVHI) were measured.The gene and protein expression of Rho kinase was examined by semi-quantitative reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) and Western blot,respectively.The phosphorylation of myosin binding subunit(MBS) of myosin phosphatase-a substrate of Rho kinase was detected by Western blot as a marker of functional activation of the kinase. Results The expression of Rho kinase mRNA and protein was significantly higher in HPH model group than those in control group.The phosphorylation of MBS was also significantly higher in HPH model group than that in control group,and it was positively correlated with mPAP and RVHI(P0.01) .Compared with model group,mPAP,RVHI,expression of Rho kinase mRNA and protein and the phosphorylation of MBS significantly reduced in fasudil intervention group. Conclusion Rho/Rho kinase signaling may be involved in the progression of HPH.Fasudil can significantly decrease mPAP expression,and prevent and alleviate the hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular hypertrophy by inhibiting Rho kinase expression.
Publication Year: 2010
Publication Date: 2010-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
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