Pathophysiology and potential treatments of pulmonary hypertension due to systolic left heart failure

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) due to left heart failure is becoming increasingly prevalent and is associated with poor outcome. The precise pathophysiological mechanisms behind PH due to left heart failure are, however, still unclear. In its early course, PH is caused by increased left ventricular filling pressures, without pulmonary vessel abnormalities. Conventional treatment for heart failure may partly reverse such passive PH by optimizing left ventricular function. However, if increased pulmonary pressures persist, endothelial damage, excessive vasoconstriction and structural changes in the pulmonary vasculature may occur. There is, at present, no recommended medical treatment for this active component of PH due to left heart failure. However, as the vascular changes in PH due to left heart failure may be similar to those in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a selected group of these patients may benefit from PAH treatment targeting the endothelin, nitric oxide or prostacyclin pathways. Such potent pulmonary vasodilators could, however, be detrimental in patients with left heart failure without pulmonary vascular pathology, as selective pulmonary vasodilatation may lead to further congestion in the pulmonary circuit, resulting in pulmonary oedema. The use of PAH therapies is therefore currently not recommended and would require the selection of suitable patients based on the underlying causes of the disease and careful monitoring of their progress. The present review focuses on the following: (i) the pathophysiology behind PH resulting from systolic left heart failure, and (ii) the current evidence for medical treatment of this condition, especially the role of PAH‐targeted therapies in systolic left heart failure.     

Vasoreactions to acute hypoxia,whole lungs and isolated vessels compared: modulation by NO

We aimed to explain diverse pulmonary vascular responses to hypoxia in different preparations and their modulation by NO. In rats we compared isolated perfused lungs (IPL), small vessels in vitro (PRVs) and in vivo preparations. In IPL and in vivo, acute and chronic nitric oxide synthase (NOS) blockade with L-NAME left normoxic pulmonary artery pressure unchanged but enhanced hypoxic vasoconstriction, hypoxia-induced pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV). PRVs in vitro, precontracted with PGF(2alpha), showed four tension changes in acute hypoxia: dilatation, contraction, dilatation, contraction. Acute and chronic NOS blockade reduced the first two phases. In non-precontracted PRVs (from other laboratories), NOS inhibition enhanced HPV as in vivo and IPL; attenuation of HPV seems associated with precontraction. Thus reduced NOS activity does not cause pulmonary hypertension but exaggerates HPV. In IPL, prolonged severe hypoxia caused biphasic vasoconstriction separated by dilatation; the time course resembled that seen in PRVs. We suggest that the sequence of events during hypoxia in PRVs can be detected in whole lung preparations.     

环氧合酶及脂氧合酶抑制剂对猕猴急性肺泡缺氧性肺血管收缩反应的研究

猕猴吸入10%的氧时,肺动脉压明显升高,肺血管阻力显著增加。缺氧三分钟即出现最大反应,其肺血管阻力变化率达39.6%。缺氧持续十分钟,HPV未见明显减弱。脂氧合酶抑制剂——乙胺嗪明显抑制猕猴的HPV,但给药后六十分钟,HPV恢复到给药前的水平。环氧合酶抑制剂——消炎痛则明显增强猕猴的HPV,最大肺血管阻力变化率可达57%。这些结果提示:花生四烯酸脂氧合酶代谢产物——白三烯在猕猴的HPV中可能起介导作用,而前列腺素则可能调整HPV,这种调整作用与某些扩血管性前列腺素的作用有关。     

连代低氧培养肺动脉平滑肌及内皮细胞的急性低氧反应中环核苷酸的作用

目的:探讨环核苷酸在慢性低氧动物的低氧性肺血管收缩反应(HPV)弱化机制中的作用。方法:用RIA法测定连代常氧与连代低氧培养猪肺动脉平滑肌细胞(PASMC)和内皮细胞(PAEC)的cAMP和cGMP及其在急性低氧时的变化;用图像分析系统检测常氧与低氧培养PASMC在急性低氧时的收缩程度。结果:低氧组PASMC的cAMP、cGMP和PAEC的cGMP基础值较常氧组低(P＜0.01)。急性低氧状态下,低氧组PASMC的cAMP、cGMP含量升高(P＜0.01);低氧组弱收缩反应PASMC的百分率明显高于常氧组。结论:慢性低氧PASMC和PAEC的cAMP、cGMP基础值下降可能与慢性低氧动物肺动脉基础张力增高有关;慢性低氧PASMC在急性低氧反应时cAMP、cGMP含量升高可能是慢性低氧机体HPV弱化的机制之一。     

Hypoxia,energy state and pulmonary vasomotor tone

Vasomotor responses to hypoxia constitute a fundamental adaptation to a commonly encountered stress. It has long been suspected that changes in cellular energetics may modulate both hypoxic systemic artery vasodilatation (HSV) and hypoxic pulmonary artery vasoconstriction (HPV). Although limitation of energy has been shown to underlie hypoxic relaxation in some smooth muscles, the response to hypoxia in vascular smooth muscle does not appear to be a simple function of energy stores, but instead may involve perturbations of ATP or energy delivery to mechanisms controlling muscle force, and/or changes associated with anaerobic metabolism. Recent work in pulmonary vascular smooth muscle has demonstrated that energy stores are maintained during hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction, and that this is dependent on glucose availability and up-regulation of glycolysis. There is increasing evidence that glycolysis is preferentially coupled to a variety of membrane associated ATP dependent processes, including the Na(+) pump, Ca(2+)-ATPase, and possibly some protein kinases. These and other mechanisms may influence excitation-contraction coupling in both systemic and pulmonary arteries by effects on intracellular Ca(2+) and/or Ca(2+) sensitivity. Hypoxia has also been postulated to have major effects on other cytosolic second messenger systems including phosphatidylinositol pathways, cell redox state and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production. This review examines the relationship between energy state, anaerobic respiration and hypoxic vasomotor tone, with a particular emphasis on hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction.     

COPD合并慢性缺氧患者肺血管对急性缺氧反应变化中肺动脉平滑肌细胞钾通道的作用

目的：以人离体肺动脉环缺氧张力变化为对象研究钾通道在缺氧性肺血管收缩（HPV）发生中的作用。 方法： 从手术室切取人肺动脉环，进行人肺动脉环张力试验，分正常对照组，单纯慢性阻塞性肺病（chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ，COPD）组和COPD合并慢性缺氧组，分别利用相应的特异性阻断剂观察电压门控性钾通道（KV），钙离子激活的钾通道（KCa）， ATP敏感的钾通道（KATP），在缺氧性肺血管收缩（HPV）的作用。 结果： （1）3组肺动脉环在急性缺氧时血管收缩张力均增加，同时COPD＋慢性缺氧组增加百分比显著低于对照组；COPD组与对照组无显著差异。（2）4-AP阻断Kv后较阻断前，3组肺血管环缺氧张力增加幅度均显著降低（P<0.05），同时正常对照组和COPD组降低幅度明显大于慢性缺氧组。TEA阻断KCa后以及格列苯脲（glybenclamide）阻断KATP后二者较阻断前，3组肺血管环缺氧张力均显著增加（P<0.05），同时COPD＋慢性缺氧组增加的幅度明显大于正常组（分别是P<0.01和P<0.05）。 结论： （1）慢性缺氧可降低肺血管的收缩性及肺血管对急性缺氧的收缩反应；（2）Kv在3组人离体肺动脉环HPV反应中均起介导作用，慢性缺氧可使此介导作用加强；KCa和KATP在3组人离体肺动脉环HPV反应中均起调节作用，慢性缺氧可使此调节作用加强。     

Clinical perspective of hypoxia-mediated pulmonary hypertension

Pulmonary hypertension is a condition associated with a variety of pulmonary disorders whose common denominator is alveolar hypoxia. Such disorders include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pulmonary fibrosis, sleep-disordered breathing, and exposure to high altitude. Acute hypoxia is characterized by vasoconstriction of small pulmonary arteries, a phenomenon called hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction. With prolonged hypoxia, thickening of the smooth vascular layer of the small pulmonary arteries occurs, a phenomenon described as pulmonary vascular remodeling. Although the core mechanisms of both vasoconstriction and remodeling are thought to reside in the smooth muscle cell layer, the endothelium modulates these two processes. The purpose of this review is briefly to (a) discuss the mechanisms of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension as it pertains to certain disease states, and (b) examine the pathways that have potential therapeutic applications for this condition.     

钾离子通道在大鼠慢性低氧所致肺血管低反应中的作用

目的与方法：采用阻断剂及离体肺内动脉血管环方法,研究不同类型钾离子通道对慢性低压低氧的大鼠模型的低氧性肺血管收缩反应（HPV）的作用,旨在探讨钾离子通道在慢性低氧肺血管低反应机制中的作用。结果：①慢性低氧15 d、30 d可降低肺血管对急性低氧的收缩反应。②分别阻断正常对照组、慢性低氧组大鼠肺血管钙激活性钾通道（K_Ca）、ATP敏感的钾通道（K_ATP）,均使其HPV反应明显增强,其中慢性低氧组增强幅度显著高于正常对照组（P<0.01）。③阻断正常对照组、慢性低氧组大鼠肺血管延迟整流性钾通道（K_DR）对其HPV均无明显影响。结论：K_Ca、K_ATP在HPV反应起着重要的调节作用,慢性低氧可使此调节作用显著加强,这可能是导致肺血管低反应一个重要机制。     

牛磺酸对大鼠慢性缺氧性肺动脉高压的预防作用

目的：进一步研究牛磺酸对慢性缺氧性肺动脉高压的防治作用。方法：复制大鼠间断缺氧４周模型,采用透射电镜、放射免疫和生化技术研究牛磺酸对肺动脉高压的治疗效果。结果：缺氧４周大鼠肺动脉压力升高,右心肥大,血中ＥＴ－１、ＡＣＥ水平升高,ＮＯ－２／ＮＯ－３和ＳＯＤ水平降低;ＭＰＡＰ与ＥＴ－１呈正相关,与ＮＯ－２／ＮＯ－３呈负相关;牛磺酸可抑制缺氧大鼠ＥＴ－１和ＡＣＥ分泌,增加ＮＯ和ＳＯＤ水平,降低肺动脉压力;透射电镜观察表明牛磺酸能对抗缺氧大鼠的心肺组织损伤。结论：牛磺酸通过减轻缺氧所致细胞损伤,调节血管舒缩物质的平衡,对缺氧性肺高压有一定防治作用。     

Adenovirus-mediated lung vascular endothelial growth factor overexpression protects against hypoxic pulmonary hypertension in rats

Chronic hypoxic pulmonary hypertension (PH) is associated with vasoconstriction and structural remodeling of pulmonary vessels including narrowing of the arterial lumen and loss of distal functional arteries. To test whether lung overexpression of the angiogenic factor vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is beneficial in hypoxic PH, recombinant adenovirus encoding the human VEGF 165 gene under the control of a cytomegalovirus promoter (Ad. VEGF) or control vector containing no gene in the expression cassette (Ad.Null) was administered intratracheally to rats. With Ad. VEGF (10(8) plaque-forming units [pfu]), VEGF protein was present in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid as early as 2 d and until 17 d after gene transfer, but was not detected in serum. Only small patchy areas of mononuclear cells without cell damage, edema, or hemorrhage were observed on lung histology with no significant change in lung permeability. In rats pretreated with Ad.VEGF (10(8) pfu) 2 d before a 2-wk exposure to hypoxia (10% O(2)), lower values versus Ad. Null-pretreated controls were found for pulmonary artery pressure (25 +/- 1 versus 30 +/- 2 mm Hg, P < 0.05), right ventricular over left ventricular-plus-septum weight (0.37 +/- 0.01 versus 0.47 +/- 0. 02, P < 0.001), normalized wall thickness of 50- to 200-microm vessels (P < 0.001), and muscularization of distal vessels (P < 0. 001). Pretreatment with Ad.VEGF (10(8) pfu) increased endothelial nitric oxide synthase activity in lung tissue and partially restored endothelium-dependent vasodilation in isolated lungs from chronically hypoxic rats, as assessed by improvement of ionophore A23187-induced vasodilation and attenuation of endothelin-1 (300 pmol)-induced vasoconstriction, an effect abolished in the presence of nitro-L-arginine methylester. We conclude that adenoviral-mediated VEGF overexpression in the lungs attenuates development of hypoxic PH, in part by protecting endothelium-dependent function.     

Structural basis of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension: the modifying effect of chronic hypercapnia

Exposure to chronic hypoxia causes pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary vascular remodelling. In chronic lung disease, chronic hypercapnia frequently coexists with hypoxia and is associated with worsening of pulmonary hypertension. It is generally stated that pulmonary hypertension in these conditions is secondary to hypoxic vascular remodelling and that hypercapnia augments this remodelling thus worsening the hypertension. We review recent evidence which shows that although chronic hypoxia causes thickening of the walls of pulmonary arterioles, these changes do not lead to structural narrowing of the lumen by encroachment. Moreover, hypoxia leads to new vessel formation within the pulmonary vasculature and not loss of vessels as formerly thought. Such neovascularization may provide a beneficial adaptation by increasing the area of the gas exchange membrane. These novel structural findings are supported by recent reports that inhibitors of the RhoA pathway can acutely reduce pulmonary vascular resistance in chronically hypoxic lungs to near normal values, demonstrating that structural changes are not the dominant mechanisms underling hypoxic pulmonary hypertension. Chronic hypercapnia inhibits the development of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary vascular remodelling and hypoxia-induced angiogenesis. This last effect might be maladaptive, as it would prevent the potentially beneficial increase in gas exchange membrane area. These findings suggest that structural narrowing of the vascular lumen of resistance vessels is not the mechanism by which hypoxia and hypercapnia cause pulmonary hypertension in chronic lung disease.     

Hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction

It has been known for more than 60 years, and suspected for over 100, that alveolar hypoxia causes pulmonary vasoconstriction by means of mechanisms local to the lung. For the last 20 years, it has been clear that the essential sensor, transduction, and effector mechanisms responsible for hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV) reside in the pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cell. The main focus of this review is the cellular and molecular work performed to clarify these intrinsic mechanisms and to determine how they are facilitated and inhibited by the extrinsic influences of other cells. Because the interaction of intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms is likely to shape expression of HPV in vivo, we relate results obtained in cells to HPV in more intact preparations, such as intact and isolated lungs and isolated pulmonary vessels. Finally, we evaluate evidence regarding the contribution of HPV to the physiological and pathophysiological processes involved in the transition from fetal to neonatal life, pulmonary gas exchange, high-altitude pulmonary edema, and pulmonary hypertension. Although understanding of HPV has advanced significantly, major areas of ignorance and uncertainty await resolution.     

K~ 通道在正常与慢性低氧大鼠低氧性肺血管收缩反应中的作用

目的 :探讨K 通道在慢性低氧致低氧性肺血管收缩反应降低中的作用。方法 :采用离体肺灌流实验 ,研究 4-AP(4-aminopyridine ,电压依赖性K 通道 -Kv阻滞剂 )、TEA(tetraethylamonium ,Ca2 激活性K 通道 -KCa阻滞剂 )、GLIB(glibenclamide,ATP敏感性K 通道 -KATP阻滞剂 )对正常与慢性低氧大鼠肺血管低氧反应的影响。结果 :4-AP、TEA均可使正常大鼠肺动脉基础压上升 ,且使其肺血管低氧反应明显增强 ;对于慢性低氧大鼠 ,其肺血管对低氧反应明显低下 ,4-AP、TEA升肺动脉基础压的作用明显低于对照鼠肺 ,GLIB也呈现升高肺动脉基础压力作用 ,4-AP、TEA、GLIB均可使肺血管低氧反应大大增强 ,增强的比例明显大于正常对照组。结论 :在离体灌流鼠肺HPV中 ,Kv、KCa的开放起调节作用 ,大鼠经慢性低氧后 ,肺血管反应性明显降低 ,可能与Kv、KCa、KATP在HPV中的调节作用相对增强有关     

Effect of BQ123 on vasoconstriction as a result of either hypoxia or endothelin-1 in perfused rat lungs

A possible role of endothelin (ET)-1 in mediating hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV) was examined by comparing haemodynamic differences between ET-1-induced vasoconstriction and HPV in isolated perfused rat lungs. An ET_A receptor antagonist (BQ123) was also employed to assess the effects of ET-1. The pulmonary arterial pressure (Ppa) was significantly increased by alveolar hypoxia (3% O₂) and by ET-1 (5 nM). The pulmonary microvascular pressure was not changed by hypoxia, but increased more than two-fold by ET-1 (P < 0.01). Hypoxia significantly increased pulmonary arterial resistance (P < 0.01) while ET-1 significantly increased pulmonary venous resistance (P < 0.01), and slightly increased arterial resistance. Lung weight was increased by ET-1 and decreased by hypoxia, accompanied by similar Ppa responses in both cases. BQ123 (10^-6 m and 10^-5 m ) did not influence the changes in Ppa and lung weight induced by hypoxia or angiotensin II (0.3 μg). BQ123 did, however, suppress (P < 0.05) the increase in Ppa and lung weight induced by 5 nM ET-1. Thus, it appears unlikely that ET-1 is involved in changes in pulmonary vascular tone during acute HPV.     

交感神经在肺泡缺氧性肺血管收缩反应中的作用

在大鼠毁髓模型上观察缺氧与不缺氧情况下电刺激肺血管的脊髓交感中枢时体、肺循环的变化。常氧时电刺激脊髓T_(1～3)节段时P_(pa)、PVR增高(P<0.05);毁髓去神经支配大鼠吸入12%O_2低氧气体后仍能引起肺血管收缩反应(HPV),但PVR上升幅度较正常大鼠降低。在缺氧基础上电刺激T_(1～3)节段引起P_(pa)、PVR大幅度增高(P<0.05),约为常氧时电刺激效应的二倍;酚妥拉明可抑制这一反应。提示交感神经兴奋对HPV的形成有一定的促进作用。缺氧时体循环对交感兴奋的反应减弱。     

K+通道在正常与慢性低氧大鼠低氧性肺血管收缩反应中的作用

目的:探讨K⁺通道在慢性低氧致低氧性肺血管收缩反应降低中的作用。方法:采用离体肺灌流实验,研究4-AP(4-aminopyridine,电压依赖性K⁺通道-Kv阻滞剂)、TEA(tetraethylamonium,Ca²⁺激活性K⁺通道-K_Ca阻滞剂)、GLIB(glibenclamide,ATP敏感性K⁺通道-K_ATP阻滞剂)对正常与慢性低氧大鼠肺血管低氧反应的影响。结果:4-AP、TEA均可使正常大鼠肺动脉基础压上升,且使其肺血管低氧反应明显增强;对于慢性低氧大鼠,其肺血管对低氧反应明显低下,4-AP、TEA升肺动脉基础压的作用明显低于对照鼠肺,GLIB也呈现升高肺动脉基础压力作用,4-AP、TEA、GLIB均可使肺血管低氧反应大大增强,增强的比例明显大于正常对照组。结论:在离体灌流鼠肺HPV中,Kv、K_Ca的开放起调节作用,大鼠经慢性低氧后,肺血管反应性明显降低,可能与Kv、K_Ca、K_ATP在HPV中的调节作用相对增强有关。     

白藜芦醇苷对慢性常压低氧性肺动脉高压模型中磷脂酶A2、一氧化氮和内皮素水平的影响

目的： 观察白藜芦醇苷（PD）对慢性常压低氧性肺动脉高压大鼠血浆及肺匀浆中磷脂酶A2(PLA2)、一氧化氮（NO）和内皮素1（ET-1）水平的影响，并探讨可能的机制。 方法: 29只健康SD大鼠随机分为正常对照组、单纯低氧组和低氧加PD组。右心导管法检测大鼠肺动脉平均压力（mPAP），观察右室/左室+室间隔重量比值（R/L+S）、血浆及肺匀浆中PLA2活性、NO和ET-1含量的变化。 结果: 低氧21 d后大鼠mPAP、R/L+S、血浆及肺匀浆中PLA2活性和ET-1含量显著高于对照组，NO含量显著低于对照组。PD预处理组上述变化可受抑制或减轻。 结论: PD可有效防治慢性常压低氧性大鼠肺动脉压力的升高，其机理与抑制PLA2活性及ET-1释放，促进NO产生有关。     

Early increase in pulmonary vascular reactivity with overexpression of endothelin-1 and vascular endothelial growth factor in canine experimental heart failure

Heart failure is a cause of pulmonary vasoconstriction and remodelling, leading to pulmonary hypertension (PH) and decreased survival. The pathobiology of PH in heart failure remains incompletely understood. We investigated pulmonary vascular function and signalling molecules in early stage PH secondary to experimental heart failure. Eight beagle dogs with overpacing-induced heart failure underwent haemodynamic assessment and postmortem pulmonary arterial reactivity, morphometry and quantification of genes encoding for factors involved in vascular reactivity and remodelling: endothelin-1 (ET-1), ETA and ETB receptors, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), VEGF receptors 1 and 2 (VEGFR1 and VEGFR2), endothelial nitric oxide synthase, angiopoietin-1, bone morphogenetic protein receptors (BMPR1A and BMPR2), serotonin transporter (5-HTT) and the 5-HT(2B) receptor. Overpacing was associated with a decrease in cardiac output and an increase in pulmonary vascular pressures. However, there were no changes in pulmonary vascular resistance or in arteriolar medial thickness. There were increased expressions of genes encoding for ET-1, ETB, VEGF and VEGFR2, while expression of the other genes analysed remained unchanged. In vitro, pulmonary arteries showed decreased relaxation and increased reactivity, while systemic mammary arteries were unaffected. Early PH in heart failure is characterized by altered vasoreactivity and increased ET-1/ETB and VEGF/VEGFR2 signalling.     

Ca2+ and ion channels in hypoxia-mediated pulmonary hypertension

Alveolar hypoxia, a consequence of many lung diseases, can have adverse effects on the pulmonary vasculature. The changes that occur in the pulmonary circulation with exposure to chronic hypoxia include reductions in the diameter of the pulmonary arteries due to structural remodeling of the vasculature. Although the structural and functional changes that occur in the development of pulmonary hypertension have been well investigated, less is known about the cellular and molecular mechanisms of this process. This review will discuss the role of several potassium and calcium channels in hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction, both in elevating calcium influx into pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs). In addition to other signal transduction pathways, Ca²⁺ signaling in PASMCs plays an important role in the development and progression of pulmonary hypertension due to its central roles in vasoconstriction and vascular remodeling. This review will focus on the effect of chronic hypoxia on ion channels and the potential pathogenic role of Ca²⁺ signaling and regulation in the progression of pulmonary hypertension.     

Hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction: mechanisms and controversies

The pulmonary circulation differs from the systemic in several important aspects, the most important being that pulmonary arteries constrict to moderate physiological (∼20–60 mmHg P _O2) hypoxia, whereas systemic arteries vasodilate. This phenomenon is called hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV), and is responsible for maintaining the ventilation–perfusion ratio during localized alveolar hypoxia. In disease, however, global hypoxia results in a detrimental increase in total pulmonary vascular resistance, and increased load on the right heart. Despite many years of study, the precise mechanisms underlying HPV remain unresolved. However, as we argue below, there is now overwhelming evidence that hypoxia can stimulate several pathways leading to a rise in the intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i) in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMC). This rise in [Ca²⁺]_i is consistently found to be relatively small, and HPV seems also to require rho kinase-mediated Ca²⁺ sensitization. There is good evidence that HPV also has an as yet unexplained endothelium dependency. In this brief review, we highlight selected recent findings and ongoing controversies which continue to animate the study of this remarkable and unique response of the pulmonary vasculature to hypoxia.