Modulation and roles of the endothelins in the pathophysiology of pulmonary embolism

Acute Pulmonary Embolism and Immunity in Animal Models

Venous thromboembolism, encompassing acute pulmonary embolism (APE) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT), is a potentially fatal disease with complex pathophysiology. Traditionally, the Virchow triad provided a framework for understanding the pathogenic contributors to thrombus formation, which include endothelial dysfunction, alterations in blood flow and blood hypercoagulability. In the last years, it has become apparent that immunity plays a central role in thrombosis, interacting with classical prothrombotic mechanisms, oxidative stress and vascular factors. Thrombosis amplifies inflammation, and exaggerated inflammatory processes can trigger thrombosis mainly due to the activation of leukocytes, platelets, and endothelial cells. APE-related endothelium injury is a major trigger for immune system activation. Endothelium is also a key component mediating inflammatory reaction and it is relevant to maintain vascular permeability. Exaggerated right ventricular wall stress and overload, with coexisting systemic hypotension and hypoxemia, result in myocardial injury and necrosis. Hypoxia, tissue factor activation and cytokine storm are engaged in the thrombo-inflammatory processes. Thrombus development is characterized by inflammatory state vascular wall caused mainly by an early extravasation of leukocytes and intense selectins and cytokines production. Nevertheless, immunity of DVT is well described, little is known about potential chemokine and cellular differences between thrombus that develops in the vein and thrombus that detaches and lodges in the pulmonary circulation being a cause of APE. There is a paucity of data considering inflammatory state in the pulmonary artery wall during an acute episode of pulmonary embolism. The main aim of this review is to summarize the knowledge of immunity in acute phase of pulmonary embolism in experimental models.

Pathophysiological Aspects of Aging in Venous Thromboembolism: An Update

The aim of this review is to highlight all the factors that associate venous thromboembolism (VTE) with aging. Elderly people are characterized by a higher incidence of thrombosis taking into account the co-existing comorbidities, complications and fatality that arise. Based on the Virchow triad, pathophysiological aspects of venous stasis, endothelium injury and hypercoagulability in elderly people (≥65 years) are described in detail. More precisely, venous wall structure, nitric oxide (NO) and endothelin-1 expression are impaired in this age group. Furthermore, an increase in high-molecular-weight kininogen (HMWK), prekallikrein, factors V, VII, VIII, IX and XI, clot lysis time (CLT) and von Willebrand factor (vWF) is observed. Age-dependent platelet dysfunction and changes in anticoagulant factors are also illustrated. A “low-grade inflammation stage” is delineated as a possible risk factor for thrombosis in the elderly. Consequently, clinical implications for frail elderly people related to diagnosis, treatment, bleeding danger and VTE recurrence emerge. We conclude that aging is an acquired thrombotic factor closely related to pathophysiological changes.

Inhaled nitric oxide has pulmonary vasodilator efficacy both in the immediate and prolonged phase of acute pulmonary embolism

BACKGROUND

Inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) effectively reduces right ventricular afterload when administered in the immediate phase of acute pulmonary embolism (PE) in preclinical animal models. In a porcine model of intermediate-risk PE, we aimed to investigate whether iNO has pulmonary vasodilator efficacy both in the immediate and prolonged phase of acute PE.

METHODS

Anesthetized pigs (n = 18) were randomized into three subgroups. An acute PE iNO-group (n = 6) received iNO at 40 ppm at one, three, six, nine and 12 hours after onset of PE. Vehicle animals (n = 6) received PE, but no active treatment. A third group of sham animals (n = 6) received neither PE nor treatment. Animals were evaluated using intravascular pressures, respiratory parameters, biochemistry and intracardiac pressure-volume measurements.

RESULTS

The administration of PE increased mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) (vehicle vs sham; 33.3 vs 17.7 mmHg, p < 0.0001), pulmonary vascular resistance (vehicle vs sham; 847.5 vs 82.0 dynes, p < 0.0001) and right ventricular arterial elastance (vehicle vs sham; 1.2 vs 0.2 mmHg/ml, p < 0.0001). Significant mPAP reduction by iNO was preserved at 12 hours after the onset of acute PE (vehicle vs iNO; 0.5 vs -3.5 mmHg, p < 0.0001). However, this response was attenuated over time (p = 0.0313). iNO did not affect the systemic circulation.

CONCLUSIONS

iNO is a safe and effective pulmonary vasodilator both in the immediate and prolonged phase of acute PE in an in-vivo porcine model of intermediate-risk PE.

Pulmonary vasodilation in acute pulmonary embolism - a systematic review

Acute pulmonary embolism is the third most common cause of cardiovascular death. Pulmonary embolism increases right ventricular afterload, which causes right ventricular failure, circulatory collapse and death. Most treatments focus on removal of the mechanical obstruction caused by the embolism, but pulmonary vasoconstriction is a significant contributor to the increased right ventricular afterload and is often left untreated. Pulmonary thromboembolism causes mechanical obstruction of the pulmonary vasculature coupled with a complex interaction between humoral factors from the activated platelets, endothelial effects, reflexes and hypoxia to cause pulmonary vasoconstriction that worsens right ventricular afterload. Vasoconstrictors include serotonin, thromboxane, prostaglandins and endothelins, counterbalanced by vasodilators such as nitric oxide and prostacyclins. Exogenous administration of pulmonary vasodilators in acute pulmonary embolism seems attractive but all come with a risk of systemic vasodilation or worsening of pulmonary ventilation-perfusion mismatch. In animal models of acute pulmonary embolism, modulators of the nitric oxide-cyclic guanosine monophosphate-protein kinase G pathway, endothelin pathway and prostaglandin pathway have been investigated. But only a small number of clinical case reports and prospective clinical trials exist. The aim of this review is to give an overview of the causes of pulmonary embolism-induced pulmonary vasoconstriction and of experimental and human investigations of pulmonary vasodilation in acute pulmonary embolism.

Resveratrol downregulates TNF-α-induced monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in primary rat pulmonary artery endothelial cells by P38 mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling

Background: To evaluate the effects of resveratrol to monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and the role of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in this process in vitro.

Materials and methods: Animal acute pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) model: rat model was established by infusion of an autologous blood clot into the pulmonary artery through a polyethylene catheter. One hundred and thirty-two rats were randomly and equally divided into ten groups: rats-control (untreated), rats-1% DMSO, rats-TNF-α, rats-TNF-α + resveratrol, rats-TNF-α +C1142, rats-TNF-α+SB203580, rats-TNF-α+resveratrol + SB203580, rats-resveratrol only, rats-C1142 only, and rats-SB203580 only. Rat pulmonary artery endothelial cells (RPAs) tests: RPAs were isolated from above animal and designated as: RPAs-control, RPAs-1% DMSO control, RPAs-TNF-α, RPAs-TNF-α + resveratrol, RPAs-TNF-α + C1142, RPAs-TNF-α + SB203580, RPAs-TNF-α + resveratrol + SB203580, RPAs-resveratrol only, RPAs-C1142 only, and RPAs-SB203580 only. Each group was further divided into 1, 4, and 8 hrs time point for evaluation (n=6 rats per time point) except RPAs-TNF-α + SB203580, RPAs-TNF-α + resveratrol + SB203580, RPAs-C1142 and RPAs-SB203580 only, which were evaluated at 8 hrs time point. At each time point, mRNA and protein expressions of RPAs of MCP-1 were measured. The phosphorylation of p38 MAPK (p-pMAPK) of RPAs was also detected.

Results: We found that the RPAs-TNF-α elicited significant increases in MCP-1 expression and phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p-p38 MAPK). Furthermore, the MCP-1 expressions of RPAs-Resveratrol, RPAs-C1142, and RPAs-SB203580 were significantly down-regulated, which was associated with robustly suppressed TNF-α-induced p-p38MAPK expression.

Conclusion: Our findings suggested that MCP-1 was involved in the formation of TNF-α-induced inflammatory response, and resveratrol could down-regulate the expression of MCP-1 via TNF-α- inhibition, which might contribute to the decline of acute PTE-induced PH in vivo.

Bioinformatics-based study to detect chemical compounds that show potential as treatments for pulmonary thromboembolism

The objectives of the present study comprised the recognition of major genes related to pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) and the evaluation of their functional enrichment levels, in addition to the identification of small chemical molecules that may offer potential for use in PTE treatment. The RNA expression profiling of GSE84738 was obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Following data preprocessing, the differently expressed genes (DEGs) between the PTE group and the control group were identified using the Linear Models for Microarray package. Subsequently, the protein‑protein interaction (PPI) network of these DEGs was examined using the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes/Proteins database, visualized via Cytoscape. The most significantly clustered modules in the network were identified using Multi Contrast Delayed Enhancement, a plugin of Cytoscape. Subsequently, functional enrichment analysis of the DEGs was performed, using the Database for Annotation Visualization and Integrated Discovery tool. Furthermore, the chemical‑target interaction networks were investigated using the Comparative Toxicogenomics Database as visualized via Cytoscape. A total of 548 DEGs (262 upregulated and 286 downregulated) were identified in the PTE group, compared with the control group. The upregulated and downregulated genes were enriched in Gene Ontology terms related to inflammation and eye sarcolemma, respectively. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and erb‑b2 receptor tyrosine kinase 2 (ERBB2) were upregulated genes that ranked higher in the PPI network (47 and 40 degrees, respectively) whereas C‑JUN was the most downregulated gene (46). Small chemical molecules ethinyl (135), cyclosporine (126), thrombomodulin precursor (113) and tretinoin (111) had >100 degrees in the DEG‑chemical interaction network. In addition, ethinyl targeted to TNF, whereas TNF and ERBB2 were targeted by cyclosporine, and tretinoin was a targeted chemical of ERBB2. Therefore, cyclosporine, ethinyl, and tretinoin may be potential targets for PTE treatment.

Gene Expression Profiling of Pulmonary Artery in a Rabbit Model of Pulmonary Thromboembolism

Acute pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) refers to the obstruction of thrombus in pulmonary artery or its branches. Recent studies have suggested that PTE-induced endothelium injury is the major physiological consequence of PTE. And it is reasonal to use PTE-induced endothelium injury to stratify disease severity. According to the massive morphologic and histologic findings, rabbit models could be applied to closely mimic the human PE. Genomewide gene expression profiling has not been attempted in PTE. In this study, we determined the accuracy of rabbit autologous thrombus PTE model for human PTE disease, then we applied gene expression array to identify gene expression changes in pulmonary arteries under PTE to identify potential molecular biomarkers and signaling pathways for PTE. We detected 1343 genes were upregulated and 923 genes were downregulated in PTE rabbits. The expression of several genes (IL-8, TNF-α, and CXCL5) with functional importance were further confirmed in transcript and protein levels. The most significantly differentially regulated genes were related to inflammation, immune disease, pulmonary disease, and cardiovascular diseases. Totally 87 genes were up-regulated in the inflammatory genes. We conclude that gene expression profiling in rabbit PTE model could extend the understanding of PTE pathogenesis at the molecular level. Our study provides the fundamental framework for future clinical research on human PTE, including identification of potential biomarkers for prognosis or therapeutic targets for PTE.

Inflammation in venous thromboembolism: Cause or consequence?

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) which includes deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) is a moderately common disease especially in elderly population with high rate of recurrence and complications. Evidence is accumulating that VTE is not restricted to coagulation system and immune system appears to be involved in formation and resolution of thrombus. The present study was aimed at reviewing current evidences on immune system abnormalities such as alterations in cytokines, chemokines and immune cells. Also, current evidences suggest that; a, inflammation in general functions as a double-edged sword, b, inflammation can be both a cause and a consequence of VTE, and c, current anti-coagulation therapies are not well-equipped with the capacity to selectively inhibit inflammatory cells and pathways. Applying such inferences for selective pharmacological targeting of immune mediators in VTE and thereby for adoption of higher effective anti-thromboinflammatory strategies, either therapeutic or prophylactic, is henceforth to be considered as the line of research for future.

Gas exchange and pulmonary hypertension following acute pulmonary thromboembolism: has the emperor got some new clothes yet?

Patients present with a wide range of hypoxemia after acute pulmonary thromboembolism (APTE). Recent studies using fluorescent microspheres demonstrated that the scattering of regional blood flows after APTE, created by the embolic obstruction unique in each patient, significantly worsened regional ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) heterogeneity and explained the variability in gas exchange. Furthermore, earlier investigators suggested the roles of released vasoactive mediators in affecting pulmonary hypertension after APTE, but their quantification remained challenging. The latest study reported that mechanical obstruction by clots accounted for most of the increase in pulmonary vascular resistance, but that endothelin-mediated vasoconstriction also persisted at significant level during the early phase.

A soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator, BAY 41-8543, preserves right ventricular function in experimental pulmonary embolism

Pulmonary embolism (PE) increases pulmonary vascular resistance, causing right ventricular (RV) dysfunction, and poor clinical outcome. Present studies test if the soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator BAY 41-8543 reduces pulmonary vascular resistance and protects RV function. Experimental PE was induced in anesthetized, male Sprague-Dawley rats by infusing 25 μm polystyrene microspheres (1.95 million/100 g body wt, right jugular vein) producing moderate PE. Pulmonary artery vascular resistance, estimated as RVPSP/CO, increased 3-fold after 5 h of PE. Treatment with BAY 41-8543 (50 μg/kg, I.V.; given at the time of PE induction) normalized this index by reducing RVPSP and markedly increasing CO, via preservation of heart rate and stroke volume. Ex vivo RV heart function showed minimal changes at 5 h of PE, but decreased significantly after 18 h of PE, including peak systolic pressure (PSP, Control 39 ± 1 mmHg vs. 19 ± 3 PE), +dP/dt (1192 ± 93 mmHg/s vs. 444 ± 64) and -dP/dt (-576 ± 60 mmHg/s vs. -278 ± 40). BAY 41-8543 significantly improved all three indices of RV heart function (PSP 35 ± 3.5, +dP/dt 1129 ± 100, -dP/dt -568 ± 87). Experimental PE produced increased PVR and RV dysfunction, which were ameliorated by treatment with BAY 41-8543. Thus, there is vasodilator reserve in this model of experimental PE that can be exploited to reduce the stress upon the heart and preserve RV contractile function.

Blood flow redistribution and ventilation-perfusion mismatch during embolic pulmonary arterial occlusion

Acute pulmonary embolism causes redistribution of blood in the lung, which impairs ventilation/perfusion matching and gas exchange and can elevate pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) by increasing pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR). An anatomically-based multi-scale model of the human pulmonary circulation was used to simulate pre- and post-occlusion flow, to study blood flow redistribution in the presence of an embolus, and to evaluate whether reduction in perfused vascular bed is sufficient to increase PAP to hypertensive levels, or whether other vasoconstrictive mechanisms are necessary. A model of oxygen transfer from air to blood was included to assess the impact of vascular occlusion on oxygen exchange. Emboli of 5, 7, and 10 mm radius were introduced to occlude increasing proportions of the vasculature. Blood flow redistribution was calculated after arterial occlusion, giving predictions of PAP, PVR, flow redistribution, and micro-circulatory flow dynamics. Because of the large flow reserve capacity (via both capillary recruitment and distension), approximately 55% of the vasculature was occluded before PAP reached clinically significant levels indicative of hypertension. In contrast, model predictions showed that even relatively low levels of occlusion could cause localized oxygen deficit. Flow preferentially redistributed to gravitationally non-dependent regions regardless of occlusion location, due to the greater potential for capillary recruitment in this region. Red blood cell transit times decreased below the minimum time for oxygen saturation (<0.25 s) and capillary pressures became high enough to initiate cell damage (which may result in edema) only after ~80% of the lung was occluded.

Computational models of the pulmonary circulation: Insights and the move towards clinically directed studies

Biophysically-based computational models provide a tool for integrating and explaining experimental data, observations, and hypotheses. Computational models of the pulmonary circulation have evolved from minimal and efficient constructs that have been used to study individual mechanisms that contribute to lung perfusion, to sophisticated multi-scale and -physics structure-based models that predict integrated structure-function relationships within a heterogeneous organ. This review considers the utility of computational models in providing new insights into the function of the pulmonary circulation, and their application in clinically motivated studies. We review mathematical and computational models of the pulmonary circulation based on their application; we begin with models that seek to answer questions in basic science and physiology and progress to models that aim to have clinical application. In looking forward, we discuss the relative merits and clinical relevance of computational models: what important features are still lacking; and how these models may ultimately be applied to further increasing our understanding of the mechanisms occurring in disease of the pulmonary circulation.

Losartan exerts no protective effects against acute pulmonary embolism-induced hemodynamic changes

The acute obstruction of pulmonary vessels by venous thrombi is a critical condition named acute pulmonary embolism (APE). During massive APE, severe pulmonary hypertension may lead to death secondary to right heart failure and circulatory shock. APE-induced pulmonary hypertension is aggravated by active pulmonary vasoconstriction. While blocking the effects of some vasoconstrictors exerts beneficial effects, no previous study has examined whether angiotensin II receptor blockers protect against the hemodynamic changes associated with APE. We examined the effects exerted by losartan on APE-induced hemodynamic changes. Hemodynamic evaluations were performed in non-embolized lambs treated with saline (n = 4) and in lambs that were embolized with silicon microspheres and treated with losartan (30 mg/kg followed by 1 mg/kg/h, n = 5) or saline (n = 7) infusions. The plasma and lung angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity were assessed using a fluorometric method. APE increased mean pulmonary arterial pressure (MPAP) and pulmonary vascular resistance index (PVRI) by 21 ± 2 mmHg and 375 ± 20 dyn s cm⁻⁵ m⁻², respectively (P < 0.05). Losartan decreased MPAP significantly (by approximately 15%), without significant changes in PVRI and tended to decrease cardiac index (P > 0.05). Lung and plasma ACE activity were similar in both embolized and non-embolized animals. Our findings show evidence of lack of activation of the renin-angiotensin system during APE. The lack of significant effects of losartan on the pulmonary vascular resistance suggests that losartan does not protect against the hemodynamic changes found during APE.

Up-regulation of arginase II contributes to pulmonary vascular endothelial cell dysfunction during experimental pulmonary embolism

Pulmonary embolism (PE) causes pulmonary hypertension by mechanical obstruction and constriction of non-obstructed vasculature. We tested if experimental PE impairs pulmonary vascular endothelium-dependent dilation via activation of arginase II. Experimental PE was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats by infusing 25 μm microspheres in the right jugular vein, producing moderate pulmonary hypertension. Shams received vehicle injection. Pulmonary arterial rings were isolated after 18 h and isometric tensions were determined. Dilations were induced with acetylcholine, calcium ionophore A23187 or nitroglycerin (NTG) in pre-contracted rings (phenylephrine). Protein expression was assessed by Western blot and immunohistochemistry. Arginase activity was inhibited by intravenous infusion of N(w)-hydroxy-nor-l-arginine (nor-NOHA). l-Arginine supplementation was also given. Endothelium-dependent dilation responses were significantly reduced in PE vs. vehicle-treated animals (ACh: 50 ± 9% vs. 93 ± 3%; A23187: 19 ± 7% vs. 85 ± 7%, p < 0.05), while endothelium-independent dilations (NTG) were unchanged. Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) protein content was unchanged by PE. Expression of arginase II increased 4.5-fold and immunohistochemistry revealed increased arginase II staining. Nor-NOHA treatment and l-arginine supplementation significantly improved pulmonary artery ring endothelium-dependent dilation in PE (ACh: 58 ± 6% PE, 88 ± 6% PE + nor-NOHA, 84 ± 4% PE + l-arginine). Experimental PE impairs endothelium-dependent pulmonary artery dilation, while endothelium-independent dilation remains unchanged. The data support the conclusion that up-regulation of arginase II protein expression contributes to pulmonary artery endothelial dysfunction in this model of experimental PE.

Alterations of bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells following acute pulmonary embolism in mice

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a common, lethal, ischemic disease. PE-induced endothelium injury plays a critical role in the pathophysiological consequences of PE. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) can be mobilized from the bone marrow to enter circulation and play important roles in repair of damaged endothelium. However, it is not yet known if EPC mobilization results from PE. The alterations of the quantity and function of bone marrow-derived EPCs were detected in acute pulmonary embolism (APE) events in mice, and the possible role of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS)/nitric oxide (NO) pathway in those alterations was explored. APE models were established by injection of autologous thrombi into the right jugular vein of C57BL/6 mice. Mice were divided into sham and experimental groups including one hour (1H), one day (1D) and two day (2D) groups after injection. The results showed that in the APE 1D group, the thrombi were easily found in the large or medium pulmonary vessel. And CD133+ or CD34+ cells in bone marrow increased significantly, while CD133+/vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2+ EPCs decreased. After seven days in culture, the abilities of incorporation into a vascular network, adhesion to fibronectin, migration and proliferation of bone marrow-derived EPCs in the APE 1D group increased significantly. The mRNA and protein expression levels of eNOS in EPCs increased in the APE 1D group. Treatment of EPCs with NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester inhibited functional alterations induced by APE. The results suggested that APE events stimulate the mobilization of EPCs from bone marrow, and enhance their functions. The eNOS/NO pathway may be involved in this process.

Right ventricular heart failure from pulmonary embolism: key distinctions from chronic pulmonary hypertension

BACKGROUND

The right ventricle normally operates as a low pressure, high-flow pump connected to a high-capacitance pulmonary vascular circuit. Morbidity and mortality in humans with pulmonary hypertension (PH) from any cause is increased in the presence of right ventricular (RV) dysfunction, but the differences in pathology of RV dysfunction in chronic versus acute occlusive PH are not widely recognized.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Chronic PH that develops over weeks to months leads to RV concentric hypertrophy without inflammation that may progress slowly to RV failure. In contrast, pulmonary embolism (PE) results in an abrupt vascular occlusion leading to increased pulmonary artery pressure within minutes to hours that causes immediate deformation of the RV. RV injury is secondary to mechanical stretch, shear force, and ischemia that together provoke a cytokine and chemokine-mediated inflammatory phenotype that amplifies injury.

CONCLUSIONS

This review will briefly describe causes of pulmonary embolism and chronic PH, models of experimental study, and pulmonary vascular changes, and will focus on mechanisms of right ventricular dysfunction, contrasting mechanisms of RV adaptation and injury in these 2 settings.

Protective effects of atorvastatin in rat models of acute pulmonary embolism: Involvement of matrix metalloproteinase-9*

OBJECTIVE

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been implicated in the pathophysiology of acute pulmonary embolism (APE)-induced pulmonary hypertension. Here, we evaluate the effects of atorvastatin pretreatment on APE-induced pulmonary hypertension, 24-hr mortality rate, and changes in plasma and lung MMP-2 and MMP-9 activities.

DESIGN

Controlled animal study.

SETTING

University research laboratory.

SUBJECTS

Male Wistar rats.

INTERVENTIONS

Rats received atorvastatin (30 mg/kg/day orally) or tap water for 2 wks. In study 1, we examined whether atorvastatin affected APE-induced pulmonary hypertension by using a rat isolated lung perfusion model of APE. In study 2, we examined whether atorvastatin affects the survival rate after APE, which was induced by rapid intravenous injection of 14 mg/kg of a suspension of microspheres (or saline) into the tail vein.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Plasma nitrite/nitrate concentrations were measured by chemiluminescence. Pretreatment with atorvastatin was associated with 49% higher nitrite/nitrate levels compared with controls (p < .05). In study 1, whereas APE increased mean pulmonary artery pressure (MPAP) by 13.0 +/- 1.6 mm Hg in perfused lungs isolated from rats pretreated with water, pretreatment with atorvastatin attenuated by 27% the increases in MPAP after APE. In study 2, pretreatment with atorvastatin was associated with a significant increase in 24-hr survival rate after APE, which was 48% in embolized rats pretreated with water and 64% in rats pretreated with atorvastatin (p < .05). Gelatin zymography of lung and plasma MMP-2 and MMP-9 was performed. Lungs and plasma from embolized rats showed higher levels of both pro- and activated forms of MMP-9 compared with those from nonembolized animals (all p < .05). However, pretreatment with atorvastatin attenuated by 32% the increases in lung-activated MMP-9 levels after APE (p < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that pretreatment with atorvastatin attenuates APE-induced pulmonary hypertension and increases 24-hr survival rate by mechanisms that result in attenuated increases in lung activated MMP-9 after APE.

A role for matrix metalloproteinase-9 in the hemodynamic changes following acute pulmonary embolism

BACKGROUND

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) modulate vascular contractility and may affect acute pulmonary embolism (APE)-induced pulmonary hypertension. We examined the effects of the administration of doxycycline (a MMP inhibitor) following APE in anesthetized dogs.

METHODS

Sham operated dogs (N=5) received only saline. APE was induced by intravenous injections of microspheres in amounts to increase mean pulmonary artery pressure (MPAP) by 20 mm Hg, and embolized dogs received saline (Emb group, N=8), or doxycycline (10 mg/kg, i.v.) 5 or 30 min of APE (Emb+Doxy 5 and Emb+Doxy 30 groups, N=9 and 8, respectively). Hemodynamic evaluation was performed at baseline and 5-120 after APE. Gelatin zymography of MMP-2 and MMP-9 from plasma samples was performed.

RESULTS

No significant hemodynamic changes were found in Sham animals. Embolization increased MPAP by 218+/-16% and the pulmonary vascular resistance index (PVRI) by 289+/-42% in Emb group (both P<0.05). Doxycyline increased the cardiac index by 24+/-5% and reduced PVRI by 23+/-4% 120 min of APE in Doxy 30+Emb group. In addition, doxycyline reduced MPAP and PVRI 30 min after APE with maximum effects seen 120 min after APE (25+/-4% decrease in MPAP and 33+/-6% decrease in PVRI; both P<0.05) in Doxy+5 group. Plasma pro-MMP-9 and MMP-9 levels increased only in Emb group and MMP-2 remained unaltered.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study shows that doxycycline attenuates APE-induced pulmonary hypertension, and indicates that MMP-9 has a role in APE-induced pulmonary hypertension. MMP-9 may be a pharmacological target in APE.

L-arginine attenuates acute pulmonary embolism-induced increases in lung matrix metalloproteinase-2 and matrix metalloproteinase-9

STUDY OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effects of L-arginine on acute pulmonary embolism (APE)-induced pulmonary hypertension and increases in lung matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 activities.

DESIGN

Prospective trial.

SETTING

University laboratory.

INTERVENTIONS

Using an isolated lung perfusion rat model of APE, we examined whether L-arginine (0, 0.5, 3, and 10 mmol/L; five to seven rats per group) attenuates the pulmonary hypertension induced by the injection of 6.6 mg/kg of 300 microm microspheres into the pulmonary artery. In a second series of experiments (6 to 11 rats per group), we investigated whether nonselective inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) synthases with N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME; 4 mmol/L) decreases the effects produced by L-arginine. Lung MMP-2 and MMP-9 activities were determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis gelatin zymography.

RESULTS

L-arginine at 0.5, 3, and 10 mmol/L attenuated APE-induced pulmonary hypertension by 25 to 42% (all p < 0.05). The protective effect of L-arginine was completely reversed by inhibition of NO synthesis with L-NAME. APE was associated with increased lung MMP-2 and MMP-9 activities (both p < 0.05). While L-arginine at 0.5 mmol/L produced no effect on MMPs, L-arginine 3 at mmol/L and 10 mmol/L attenuated the increases in MMP-2 and MMP-9 activities after APE (both p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

L-arginine attenuates APE-induced pulmonary hypertension through mechanisms involving increased NO synthesis and maybe attenuation of lung MMP-2 and MMP-9 activities.

Hemodynamic benefits of matrix metalloproteinase-9 inhibition by doxycycline during experimental acute pulmonary embolism

The authors examined whether acute pulmonary embolism (APE) increases lung matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 activities and whether inhibition of MMPs with doxycycline attenuates the hemodynamic changes associated with APE. Anesthetized male Wistar rats were monitored for mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR). Rats in the control group (n = 5) received only saline IV; rats in the embolism (Emb) group (n = 8) received saline IV followed 10 minutes later by an injection of Sephadex microspheres (9 mg/kg) IV; rats in the doxycycline (Doxy) group (n = 4) received only doxycycline (30 mg/kg) IV, followed 10 minutes later by an injection of saline IV; rats in the Doxy + Emb group (n = 8) received the same dose of doxycycline followed 10 minutes later by the same amount of microspheres described above. Lung samples were homogenized and assayed by SDS-polyacrilamide gel electrophoresis gelatin zymography to evaluate lung MMP-2 and MMP-9 activities. Saline or doxycycline produced no significant changes in MAP, HR, and in MMP-2 and MMP-9 activities. Conversely, lung embolization significantly reduced MAP by > 32 mm Hg and HR by > 90 bpm for more than 60 minutes, and increased MMP-9 activity by 43% (all p < 0.05). No significant differences were observed in MMP-2 activity. However, lung embolization produced only transient hypotension in rats pretreated with doxycycline. In this group, MAP returned to baseline values 5 to 10 minutes after embolization. In addition, pretreatment with doxycycline blunted the increase in lung MMP-9 activity after lung embolization (p < 0.05). This study demonstrates for the first time that MMP-9 inhibition with doxycycline attenuates APE-induced hemodynamic changes in the animal model examined. These findings indicate that MMP-9 activation plays a role in the pathophysiology of APE and suggest that pharmacologic strategies targeting specific MMPs with selective inhibitors may prevent the detrimental acute hemodynamic consequences of APE.

Circulating cardiovascular markers and mediators in acute illness: an update

An update is given of the circulating markers and mediators of cardiovascular dysfunction in acute illness. Some of these circulating markers reflect mediator action on the peripheral vasculature, such as endothelium-derived endothelin and nitrite/nitritate, the stable end products of nitric oxide. Other markers mainly reflect actions on the heart, such as the natriuretic peptide family, released from the heart upon dilatation, serving as a marker of congestive heart failure and potentially having negative inotropic effects. Indeed, some factors may be both markers as well as mediators of cardiovascular dysfunction of the acutely ill and bear prognostic significance. Assessing circulating levels may help refine clinical judgment of the cardiovascular derangements encountered at the bedside, together with clinical signs and hemodynamic variables. For instance, assessing natriuretic peptides in patients with pulmonary edema of unclear origin may help to diagnose congestive heart failure and cardiogenic pulmonary edema, when the pulmonary capillary wedge pressure is not measured or inconclusive. Future aligning of hemodynamic abnormalities with patterns of circulating cardiovascular markers/mediators may help to stratify patients for inclusion in studies to assess the causes, response to therapy and prognosis of cardiovascular derangements in the acutely ill.