Effect of tetramethylpyrazine on acute and chronic hypoxic pulmonary hypertension of the rat

Abstract

The effect of tetramethylpyrazine (TMPZ) on acute as well as chronic hypoxic pulmonary hypertension has been studied in rats. TMPZ inhibited acute hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction and prevented chronic hypoxic pulmonary hypertension and hypertrophy of the right ventricle. In normal rats and those with chronic pulmonary hypertension, TMPZ dramatically increased the cardiac output and decreased the pulmonary arterial pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance. More marked changes in pressure and resistance were observed in rats with chronic pulmonary hypertension than in normal rats. Therefore, it may be suggested that TMPZ proves of use in the prevention and treatment of acute and chronic hypoxic pulmonary hypertension and cor pulmonale.

Keywords

pulmonary circulation / pulmonary hypertension / hypoxia / tetramethylpyrazine