Abstract:

Objective To investigate the effect of Rho kinase inhibitor fasudil combined with puerarin on the TGF ⁃β1/Smads pathway and inflammatory factors in hypoxia ⁃induced pulmonary hypertension（HPH）. Methods Sixty SD rats were divided into Sham group，model group，Puerarin group，Fasudil group and Fasudil and Puerarin combined treatment group. HPH rat model was constructed by hypoxia treatment in an atmospheric hypoxia chamber. Manometric catheters were used to measure the hemodynamic indicators RVSP，mPAP，PASP and PAWP，and the right ventricular hypertrophy index（RVHI）was calculated. HE staining was used to observe the injury of pulmonary artery vascular smooth muscle layer. Western blotting was used to detect the expression of related factors in the TGF⁃β 1/Smads pathway. qRT ⁃PCR was used to detect the expression of inflammation ⁃ related factors. The expression of Gal⁃3 protein was detected by immunohistochemistry. Results Pulmonary artery wall thickness and inflammatory infiltration of the combined treatment group declined；RVSP，mPAP，PASP，PAWP and RVHI decreased（P < 0.05）； TGF⁃β1/Smads pathway related factors，inflammation⁃related factors and Gal⁃3 protein expression decreased（P＜ 0.05）when compared with those of the model group，Puerarin group and Fasudil group. Conclusion Rho kinase inhibitor fasudil combined with puerarin can improve the damage of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension to pulmonary artery，artery，and provide a theoretical basis for clinical treatment of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension.

Key words:

Rho kinase inhibitor fasudil, puerarin, combination treatment, hypoxic pulmonary hypertension, TGF?β1/Smads pathway, inflammatory factors