[Effect of safflower injection on pulmonary hypertension in rat during chronic hypoxia and hypercapnia].

AIM: To study the effect of Safflower injection (a compound of Chinese Traditional medicine) on pulmonary hypertension in rat during chronic hypoxia and hypercapnia. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into normal control group (A), hypoxic hypercapnic group (B), hypoxic hypercapnia + Safflower injection group (C). The concentration of TXB2 and 6-keto-PGF18 in plasma and in lung homogenate were detected by the radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: (1) mPAP, weight ratio of right ventricle (RV) to left ventricle plus septum (LV + S) were much higher in rats of hypoxic hypercapnic group than those of control group. Differences of mCAP among the three groups were not significant. (2) The concentration of TXB2 and the ratio of TXB2/6-keto-PGF1a were significantly higher in rats of B group than those of A and C group. (3) The results examined by light microscopy showed that WA/TA (vessel wall area/total area), SMC (the density of medial smooth muscle cell) and PAMT (the thickness of medial smooth cell layer) were significantly higher in rats of B group than those of A and C group. (4) The results examined by electron microscopy showed proliferation of medial smooth muscle cells and collagen fibers of pulmonary arterioles in rats of B group, and Safflower injection could reverse the changes mentioned above. CONCLUSION: Safflower injection may inhibit hypoxic hypercapnia pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary vessel remodeling by decreasing the ratio of TXB2/6-keto-PGF1a.

[Preventive effect of Breviscapus Injection on chronic hypoxic myocardium injury in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To study the preventive effect of Breviscapus Injection on the chronic hypoxic myocardium injury in rats and its mechanism. METHODS: Transmission electron microscope and biochemical analysis were used to assay the therapeutic effect of Breviscapus Injection in rat model induced by 4 week's hypoxia. RESULTS: The contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) and Ca(2+) in the homogenate of myocardial tissue of the hypoxic rats were significantly higher than those of the control rats. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in the homogenate of myocardial tissue and the plasmic NO levels of the hypoxic rats were significantly lower than those of the control rats. Breviscapus Injection reduced the contents of MDA and Ca(2+), and increased the levels of SOD, NOS and NO. Ultrastructural examination revealed that the injuries of the ultrastructure of heart in hypoxic rats were improved by treatment with Breviscapus Injection. CONCLUSION: Breviscapus Injection can effectively prevent and treat the hypoxia-induced myocardial damage. One of its mechanisms may relate to its adjusting NO level, anti-damaging of free radicals and inhibiting calcium overload.