The effect of long-term nebulized inhalation of nitroglycerin on high pulmonary blood flow-induced pulmonary artery hypertension / 中国药理学通报

ABSTRACT

AIM To explore the effect of long-term nebulized inhalation of nitroglycerin (Neb-NTG) on high pulmonary blood flow-induced pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH). METHODS 24 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into shunting group, Neb group and control group. An arteries-venous shunt was performed between the abdominal aorta and inferior vena cava shunting was produced in rats of Neb and shunt groups. Twelve weeks after the operation, nebulized nitroglycerin was inhaled by rats in the Neb group using pressurized air ejection mobilization, while nebulized saline was inhaled by rats of the other two groups. Ten minutes inhalation was given each day for each rat. After three weeks of inhalation, pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) and mean pressure (PAMP) of each rat were evaluated by using a right cardiac catheterization procedure. Systemic arterial pressure (SAP) was reorded continuously by catheterization procedure. The ratio of right ventricular mass to body weight (RV/BW) and the ratio of right ventricular mass to left ventricular plus septal mass (RV/LV+S) were detected. Pulmonary vascular microstructure was measured. RESULTS PASP, RV/BW and RV/LV+S were significantly increased in shunt rats as compared with those of normal controls (P0.05). Muscularization of small pulmonary artery was obviously decreased in Neb-group compared with shunt group. CONCLUSION Long-term Neb-NTG ameliorates high pulmonary blood flow-induced PAH and pulmonary vascular remodeling.