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Muralidharan P, Acosta MF, Gomez AI, Grijalva C, Tang H, Yuan JXJ, Mansour HM. Design and Comprehensive Characterization of Tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) for Targeted Lung Delivery as Inhalation Aerosols in Pulmonary Hypertension (PH): In Vitro Human Lung Cell Culture and In Vivo Efficacy. Antioxidants (Basel) 2021; 10:antiox10030427. [PMID: 33799587 PMCID: PMC7998162 DOI: 10.3390/antiox10030427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
This is the first study reporting on the design and development innovative inhaled formulations of the novel natural product antioxidant therapeutic, tetramethylpyrazine (TMP), also known as ligustrazine. TMP is obtained from Chinese herbs belonging to the class of Ligusticum. It is known to have antioxidant properties. It can act as a Nrf2/ARE activator and a Rho/ROCK inhibitor. The present study reports for the first time on the comprehensive characterization of raw TMP (non-spray dried) and spray dried TMP in a systematic manner using thermal analysis, electron microscopy, optical microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. The in vitro aerosol dispersion performance of spray dried TMP was tested using three different FDA-approved unit-dose capsule-based human dry powder inhaler devices. In vitro human cellular studies were conducted on pulmonary cells from different regions of the human lung to examine the biocompatibility and non-cytotoxicity of TMP. Furthermore, the efficacy of inhaled TMP as both liquid and dry powder inhalation aerosols was tested in vivo using the monocrotaline (MCT)-induced PH rat model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priya Muralidharan
- College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; (P.M.); (M.F.A.); (A.I.G.); (C.G.)
| | - Maria F. Acosta
- College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; (P.M.); (M.F.A.); (A.I.G.); (C.G.)
| | - Alexan I. Gomez
- College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; (P.M.); (M.F.A.); (A.I.G.); (C.G.)
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ 85287, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Translational & Regenerative Medicine, College of Medicine, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; (H.T.); (J.X.-J.Y.)
| | - Carissa Grijalva
- College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; (P.M.); (M.F.A.); (A.I.G.); (C.G.)
| | - Haiyang Tang
- Department of Medicine, Division of Translational & Regenerative Medicine, College of Medicine, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; (H.T.); (J.X.-J.Y.)
| | - Jason X.-J. Yuan
- Department of Medicine, Division of Translational & Regenerative Medicine, College of Medicine, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; (H.T.); (J.X.-J.Y.)
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Heidi M. Mansour
- College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; (P.M.); (M.F.A.); (A.I.G.); (C.G.)
- Department of Medicine, Division of Translational & Regenerative Medicine, College of Medicine, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; (H.T.); (J.X.-J.Y.)
- The BIO5 Research Institute, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
- Institute of the Environment, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-520-626-2768
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Xiang L, Li Y, Deng X, Kosanovic D, Schermuly RT, Li X. Natural plant products in treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension. Pulm Circ 2018; 8:2045894018784033. [PMID: 29869936 PMCID: PMC6055327 DOI: 10.1177/2045894018784033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a severe disease characterized by
progressive remodeling of distal pulmonary arteries and persistent elevation of
pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), which leads to right ventricular
dysfunction, heart failure, and eventually death. Although treatment
responsiveness for this disease is improving, it continues to be a
life-threatening condition. With the clinical efficacy of natural plant products
being fully confirmed by years of practice, more and more recognition and
attention have been obtained from the international pharmaceutical industry.
Moreover, studies over the past decades have demonstrated that drugs derived
from natural plants show unique advantages and broad application prospects in
PAH treatment, not to mention the historical application of Chinese traditional
medicine in cardiopulmonary diseases. In this review, we focus on summarizing
natural plant compounds with therapeutic properties in PAH, according to the
extracts, fractions, and pure compounds from plants into categories, hoping it
to be helpful for basic research and clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lili Xiang
- 1 Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Ying Li
- 2 Department of Health Management, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,3 Hunan Key Laboratory for Bioanalysis of Complex Matrix Samples, Changsha, China
| | - Xu Deng
- 4 Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Djuro Kosanovic
- 5 Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC), Member of the German Center for Lung Research, Giessen, Germany
| | - Ralph Theo Schermuly
- 5 Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC), Member of the German Center for Lung Research, Giessen, Germany
| | - Xiaohui Li
- 1 Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China.,3 Hunan Key Laboratory for Bioanalysis of Complex Matrix Samples, Changsha, China
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Zhang X, Wei J, Ma P, Mu H, Wang A, Zhang L, Wu Z, Sun K. Preparation and evaluation of a novel biodegradable long-acting intravitreal implant containing ligustrazine for the treatment of proliferative vitreoretinopathy. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 67:160-9. [PMID: 25557298 DOI: 10.1111/jphp.12327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2014] [Accepted: 08/24/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES It is challenging to deliver the therapeutic drug effectively to the posterior ocular disease location with optimized exposure and long-term effects when treating proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR). The objective of this study is to develop a novel biodegradable and long-acting ocular implant for PVR therapy with ligustrazine as the active ingredient. METHODS The ligustrazine implants were prepared with poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide) using a hot-melting extrusion. The physicochemical properties of the implants were characterized. The effectiveness of the selected ligustrazine implants was evaluated in a PVR rabbit model. Furthermore, the in-vitro drug release profile and pharmacokinetics were compared, and in-vitro/in-vivo correlations were evaluated. KEY FINDINGS The optimal implants had an ideal zero-order in-vitro drug release profile, which was correlated with the in-vivo drug absorption fraction in the vitreous bodies of the rabbits. The sustained-release ligustrazine implants significantly reduced the development of PVR in the animal model. CONCLUSIONS Ligustrazine implants can be used to treat posterior ocular disease in rabbit animal models, and it provides more choices for medical research on posterior ocular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuemei Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Yantai University, Yantai, Shandong, China; State Key Laboratory of Long-Acting and Targeting Drug Delivery System, Shandong Luye Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Yantai, Shandong, China
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Lu B, Yu L, Li S, Si S, Zeng Y. Alleviation of CCl4-induced cirrhosis in rats by tetramethylpyrazine is associated with downregulation of leptin and TGF-β1 pathway. Drug Chem Toxicol 2010; 33:310-5. [DOI: 10.3109/01480540903418504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
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Lee WS, Yang HY, Kao PF, Liu JC, Chen CH, Cheng TH, Chan P. Tetramethylpyrazine downregulates angiotensin II-induced endothelin-1 gene expression in vascular endothelial cells. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol 2006; 32:845-50. [PMID: 16173946 DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-1681.2005.04275.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
1. Tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) is one of the active ingredients of the Chinese herb Ligusticum wallichii Franchat. It is well documented that TMP exerts a cardiovascular protective effect. The aims of the present study were to examine whether TMP alters angiotenisn (Ang) II-induced endothelin (ET)-1 gene expression and to identify the putative underlying signalling pathways in vascular endothelial cells. 2. Cultured vascular endothelial cells were pre-incubated with TMP, stimulated with AngII and ET-1 gene expression was then examined. The effects of TMP pretreatment on AngII-induced extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation were investigated to elucidate the intracellular mechanism responsible for the effects of TMP on ET-1 gene expression. 3. Tetramethylpyrazine inhibited AngII-induced ET-1 gene expression, as revealed by nothern blotting and a promoter activity assay. Tetramethylpyrazine also inhibited the AngII-induced increase in intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), as measured by the redox sensitive fluorescent dye 2' 7'-dichlorofluorescin diacetate and ERK phosphorylation. 4. In summary, we have demonstrated, for the first time, that TMP inhibits AngII-induced ROS generation, ERK phosphorylation and ET-1 gene expression in vascular endothelial cells. Thus, the present study delivers important new insights into the molecular pathways that may contribute to the proposed beneficial effects of TMP in the cardiovascular system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Sen Lee
- Department of Medicine, Taipei Medical University-Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
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Tsai CC, Lai TY, Huang WC, Liu IM, Liou SS. Role of cGMP signals in tetramethylpyrazine induced relaxation of the isolated rat aortic strip. Life Sci 2005; 77:1416-24. [PMID: 15894336 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2004.12.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2004] [Accepted: 12/22/2004] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
In the present study, role of guanosine-3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) in the vasodilatation of tetramethylpyrazine (TMP), one of the active ingredients of the Chinese herb Chuang-xion, was investigated. We found that the TMP could decrease the vascular tone of isolated rat aorta precontracted with phenylephrine (10(-8) M) in a concentration-dependent manner from 10(-5) M to 10(-3) M. Also, the TMP-induced relaxation was reduced by 1H-(1,2,4)-oxadiazol-(4,3-a)-quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ) or methylene blue, the inhibitor of soluble guanylyl cyclase. Moreover, the vasodilative response to TMP was enhanced significantly in the presence of sildenafil, a well-known inhibitor of phosphodiestrase type 5 that is sensitive to cGMP. In addition, TMP could increase the cGMP level in the isolated aortic rings and TMP-induced vasodilatation was deleted by cGMP-dependent protein kinases (PKG) blockade. These results suggest that relaxation of rat aortic strip by TMP is induced in the cGMP-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chin-Chuan Tsai
- School of Post-Baccalaureate Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung City, Taiwan 40402, ROC.
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Bi WF, Yang HY, Liu JC, Cheng TH, Chen CH, Shih CM, Lin H, Wang TC, Lian WS, Chen JJ, Chiu HC, Chang NC. INHIBITION OF CYCLIC STRAIN-INDUCED ENDOTHELIN-1 SECRETION BY TETRAMETHYLPYRAZINE. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol 2005; 32:536-40. [PMID: 16026512 DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-1681.2005.04227.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
1. Chuanxiong is a Chinese herb that has been used widely in China to treat vascular disorders. 2,3,5,6-Tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) is one of the major components purified from chuanxiong. Many studies have demonstrated that TMP is effective in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. However, the mechanism of action by which TMP exerts relaxation in vascular vessels remains unclear. 2. Endothelin (ET)-1 is a potent vasopressor synthesised by endothelial cells both in culture and in vivo. The aims of the present study were to test the hypothesis that TMP may alter strain-induced ET-1 secretion and to identify the putative underlying signalling pathways in endothelial cells. 3. We showed that TMP inhibits strain-induced ET-1 secretion. 2,3,5,6-Tetramethylpyrazine also inhibits the strain-induced formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) 1/2. Furthermore, pretreating cells with TMP or the anti-oxidant N-acetyl-cysteine decreased strain-induced increases in ET-1 secretion and ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Using a reporter gene assay, TMP and N-acetyl-cysteine were demonstrated to also attenuate the strain-induced activity of the activator protein-1 reporter. 4. In summary, we have demonstrated, for the first time, that TMP inhibits strain-induced ET-1 gene expression, in part by interfering with the ERK1/2 pathway via attenuation of ROS formation. Thus, the present study provides important new insights into the molecular pathways that may contribute to the proposed beneficial effects of TMP in the vascular system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Fung Bi
- Department of Medicine, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan ROC
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Sun Z, Zheng X, Hoshi T, Kashiwagi Y, Anzai JI, Li G. The electrochemistry and determination of Ligustrazine hydrochloride. Anal Bioanal Chem 2004; 380:545-50. [PMID: 15322795 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-004-2782-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2004] [Revised: 07/18/2004] [Accepted: 07/21/2004] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Ligustrazine is one of the active ingredients contained in Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort. (Umbelliferae), which is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of cardiovascular problems. In this work, the electrochemistry of Ligustrazine hydrochloride (LZC) and its determination are investigated. The detection limit is estimated to be 8.0 x 10(-8) M, with three linear ranges from 1.0 x 10(-6) to 1.0 x 10(-4) M, 1.0 x 10(-4) to 5.0 x 10(-4) M, and 6.5 x 10(-4) to 1.6 x 10(-3) M. The method has been proved to be highly sensitive, selective, and stable, and has been successfully applied to determining LZC in LZC injections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyi Sun
- Department of Biochemistry and National Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Nanjing University, 210093, Nanjing, China
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Wong KL, Chan P, Huang WC, Yang TL, Liu IM, Lai TY, Tsai CC, Cheng JT. Effect of tetramethylpyrazine on potassium channels to lower calcium concentration in cultured aortic smooth muscle cells. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol 2003; 30:793-8. [PMID: 14516420 DOI: 10.1046/j.1440-1681.2003.03913.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
1. Tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) is one of the active principles contained in Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort. (Umbelliferae), a herb that has been used widely in China to treat vascular disorders. 2. In an attempt to elucidate the possible mechanisms of action of TMP, the effect of TMP on intracellular calcium concentrations ([Ca2+]i) was investigated in cultured vascular smooth muscle (A7r5) cells using the Ca(2+)-sensitive dye Fura-2 as an indicator. 3. The increase in [Ca2+]i in A7r5 cells produced by vasopressin (1 micromol/L) or phenylephrine (1 micromol/L) was attenuated by TMP in a concentration-dependent manner. Only inhibitors specific to ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels or small conductance calcium-activated potassium (SKCa) channels attenuated the action of TMP (10 micromol/L) on [Ca2+]i. However, blockers of other K+ channels failed to modify the inhibitory action of TMP (10 micromol/L) on [Ca2+]i. 4. The action of TMP on membrane potential in A7r5 cells was monitored by the fluorescence of bisoxonol. Tetramethylpyrazine caused a concentration-dependent inhibition of changes in membrane potential elicited by KCl (20 mmol/L) or phenylephrine (1 micro mol/L), an effect that was totally reversed by glibenclamide (100 micromol/L) and apamin (100 nmol/L) in combination. 5. The results obtained indicate that the decrease in [Ca2+]i in A7r5 cells produced by TMP is mediated mainly by opening of KATP and/or SKCa channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kar-Lok Wong
- Divison of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Taipei Medical University and affiliated Taipei Wan-Fang Hospital, Taipei City, Taiwan
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Tsai CC, Lai TY, Huang WC, Liu IM, Cheng JT. Inhibitory effects of potassium channel blockers on tetramethylpyrazine-induced relaxation of rat aortic strip in vitro. Life Sci 2002; 71:1321-30. [PMID: 12106597 DOI: 10.1016/s0024-3205(02)01852-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) is one of the active principles contained in Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort. (Umbelliferae), a herb that has been widely used to treat vascular disorders in China. In the present study, role of potassium channel in the vasodilatation of TMP was investigated using the effect of potassium channel blocker on TMP induced relaxation in isolated aortic rings from Wistar rats. TMP produced a concentration-dependent relaxation in the aortic rings precontracted with vasopressin or phenylephrine. Similar effect of TMP on vasoconstrictions by phenylephrine and vasopressin, induced through two different receptors, indicating the direct vasodilatation of TMP. Specific inhibitors for potassium channel were used to characterize the role of potassium channel in this action of TMP. Only the inhibitors specific to small conductance calcium-activated potassium (SK(Ca)) channel or ATP-sensitive potassium (K(ATP)) channel inhibited the action of TMP. Also, the TMP-induced relaxation was reversed by the inhibitor of soluble guanylyl cyclase in a way similar to that of K(ATP) channel blockade. The obtained results indicated that vasodilatation induced by TMP is related to the opening of SK(Ca) and K(ATP) channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chin-Chuan Tsai
- Department of Traditional Medicine, School of Post-Baccalaureate Chinese Medicine, China Medical College, Taichung City 40401, Taiwan
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Chang FC, Huang YT, Lin HC, Hong CY, Lin JG, Chen KJ. Beneficial effects of combined terlipressin and tetramethylpyrazine administration on portal hypertensive rats. Can J Physiol Pharmacol 1999. [DOI: 10.1139/y99-064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effects of terlipressin (TP) alone or in combination with tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) on anesthetized portal hypertensive rats. Portal hypertension was induced by either partial portal vein ligation (PVL, without cirrhosis) or bile duct ligation (BDL, with cirrhosis) in Sprague-Dawley rats. Each PVL or BDL rat received only one of the two regimens: vehicle for 3 min followed by TP (0.017 mg·kg-1·min-1 for 3 min) or TMP (10 mg·kg-1·min-1 for 3 min) followed by TP. In PVL rats, infusion of vehicle followed by TP induced significant reduction of portal venous pressure (PVP, -15.0 ± 1.0%) and prominent elevation of mean arterial pressure (MAP, 57.3 ± 8.1%) as well as total peripheral resistance (TPR, 113 ± 11%) from baseline, and there was a cardiodepressant response (cardiac index, CI, -26.3 ± 1.1%). Infusion of TMP followed by TP induced significant reduction of PVP (-20.3 ± 0.4%) and CI (-9.9 ± 1.2%) and significant elevation of MAP (31.3 ± 2.5%) and TPR (46.0 ± 4.1%) from baseline. In BDL rats, infusion of vehicle followed by TP also induced significant reduction of PVP (-13.8 ± 1.7%) but an increase in MAP (57.1 ± 2.2%) and TPR (101 ± 6%) from baseline, and there also was a cardiodepressant response (CI, -21.4 ± 2.3%). Infusion of TMP followed by TP induced significant reduction of PVP (-18.9 ± 1.4%) and CI (-11.9 ± 2.1%), but an increase in MAP (36.2 ± 2.5%) and TPR (55.0 ± 5.2%). Compared with vehicle followed by TP, TMP not only significantly enhanced portal hypotensive (PVP reduction) effects of TP but also attenuated the systemic pressor (MAP and TPR elevation) and cardiodepressant (CI reduction) effects of TP in both PVL and BDL rats. Our results suggest that TP, alone or in combination with TMP, induced portal hypotensive effects in two models of portal hypertensive rats. Combination of TP and TMP was beneficial in enhancing portal hypotensive effects of TP and ameliorating the systemic pressor and cardiodepressant effects of TP.Key words: terlipressin, tetramethylpyrazine, cirrhosis, portal hypertension, hemodynamics.
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