Effects of Acute Rho Kinase Inhibition on Chronic Hypoxia-induced Changes in Proximal and Distal Pulmonary Arterial Structure and Function

Authors

Rebecca R. Vanderpool, University of Wisconsin - Madison
Ah Ram Kim, University of Wisconsin - Madison
Robert C. Molthen, Marquette UniversityFollow
Naomi Chesler, University of Wisconsin - Madison

Document Type

Article

Language

eng

Format of Original

11 p.

Publication Date

1-2011

Publisher

American Physiological Society

Source Publication

Journal of Applied Physiology

Source ISSN

0021-8987

Original Item ID

doi: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00533.2010

Abstract

Hypoxic pulmonary hypertension (HPH) is initially a disease of the small pulmonary arteries. Its severity is usually quantified by pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR). Acute Rho kinase inhibition has been found to reduce PVR toward control values in animal models, suggesting that persistent pulmonary vasoconstriction is the dominant mechanism for increased PVR. However, HPH may also cause proximal arterial changes, which are relevant to right ventricular (RV) afterload. RV afterload can be quantified by pulmonary vascular impedance, which is obtained via spectral analysis of pulsatile pressure-flow relationships. To determine the effects of HPH independent of persistent pulmonary vasoconstriction in proximal and distal arteries, we quantified pulsatile pressure-flow relationships before and after acute Rho kinase inhibition and measured pulmonary arterial structure with microcomputed tomography. In control lungs, Rho kinase inhibition decreased 0 Hz impedance (Z₀), which is equivalent to PVR, from 2.1 ± 0.4 to 1.5 ± 0.2 mmHg·min·ml⁻¹ (P < 0.05) and tended to increase characteristic impedance (Z_C) from 0.21 ± 0.01 to 0.22 ± 0.01 mmHg·min·ml⁻¹. In HPH lungs, Rho kinase inhibition decreased Z₀ (P < 0.05) without affecting Z_C. Microcomputed tomography measurements performed on lungs after acute Rho kinase inhibition demonstrated that HPH significantly decreased the unstressed diameter of the main pulmonary artery (760 ± 60 vs. 650 ± 80 μm; P < 0.05), decreased right pulmonary artery compliance, and reduced the frequency of arteries of diameter 50–100 μm (both P < 0.05). These results demonstrate that acute Rho kinase inhibition reverses many but not all HPH-induced changes in distal pulmonary arteries but does not affect HPH-induced changes in the conduit arteries that impact RV afterload.

Comments

Accepted version. Journal of Applied Physiology, Vol. 110, No. 1 (January 2011): 188-198. DOI. © 2011 American Physiological Society. Used with permission.

Robert Molthen was affiliated with the Medical College of Wisconsin at the time of publication.

Recommended Citation

Vanderpool, Rebecca R.; Kim, Ah Ram; Molthen, Robert C.; and Chesler, Naomi, "Effects of Acute Rho Kinase Inhibition on Chronic Hypoxia-induced Changes in Proximal and Distal Pulmonary Arterial Structure and Function" (2011). Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications. 116.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/bioengin_fac/116