KMUP-1 ameliorates monocrotaline-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension through the modulation of Ca2+ sensitization and K+-channel.

AIMS

This study investigates the actions of KMUP-1 on RhoA/Rho-kinase (ROCK)-dependent Ca(2+) sensitization and the K(+)-channel in chronic pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) rats.

MAIN METHODS

Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into control, monocrotaline (MCT), and MCT+KMUP-1 groups. PAH was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection (i.p.) of MCT (60 mg/kg). KMUP-1 (5 mg/kg, i.p.) was administered once daily for 21 days to prevent MCT-induced PAH. All rats were sacrificed on day 22.

KEY FINDINGS

MCT-induced increased right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) and right ventricular hypertrophy were prevented by KMUP-1. In myograph experiments, KCl (80 mM), phenylephrine (10 microM) and K(+) channel inhibitors (TEA, 10 mM; paxilline, 10 microM; 4-AP, 5 mM) induced weak PA contractions in MCT-treated rats compared to controls, but the PA reactivity was restored in MCT+KMUP-1-treated rats. By contrast, in beta-escin- or alpha-toxin-permeabilized PAs, CaCl(2)-induced (1.25 mM, pCa 5.1) contractions were stronger in MCT-treated rats, and this action was suppressed in MCT+KMUP-1-treated rats. PA relaxation in response to the ROCK inhibitor Y27632 (0.1 microM) was much higher in MCT-treated rats than in control rats. In Western blot analysis, the expression of Ca(2+)-activated K(+) (BK(Ca)) and voltage-gated K(+) channels (Kv2.1 and Kv1.5), and ROCK II proteins was elevated in MCT-treated rats and suppressed in MCT+KMUP-1-treated rats. We suggest that MCT-treated rats upregulate K(+)-channel proteins to adapt to chronic PAH.

SIGNIFICANCE

KMUP-1 protects against PAH and restores PA vessel tone in MCT-treated rats, attributed to alteration of Ca(2+) sensitivity and K(+)-channel function.