Pathophysiological characteristics of rat pulmonary hypertension and cor pulmonale induced by monocrotaline

Objective: To explore the mechanism of pulmonary hypertension and Cor Pulmonale rat models induced by monocrotaline(MCT).Methods: Twenty Wistar male rats were randomly divided into normal control group and model group(n=10), which received a single intraperitoneal injection of MCT solution(50 mg/kg,the first day) or dissolvant,respectively.On day 28 after MCT administration,the hemodynamic parameters were assessed;levels of tumour necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),nitric oxide(NO),endothelin-1(ET-1),B-type natriuretic peptide(BNP) in pulmonary tissue or blood were measured using radio immunoassay or nitrate reductase method.Results: 28 days after MCT injection,compared with control group,right ventricle systolic pressure(RVSP) increased and heart rate(HR),mean arterial pressure(MAP) decreased;Levels of TNF-α,NO,ET-1 in pulmonary tissue or blood increased significantly in MCT group.Conclusion: The potential mechanism of MCT-induced pulmonary hypertension and Cor Pulmonale rat models associates with increasing TNF-α,NO,ET-1 levels in vivo,which results from inflammatory injury of lung tissue and blood vessels induced by MCT.