The NO donor molsidomine reduces endothelin-1 gene expression in chronic hypoxic rat lungs

We investigated the effects of the nitric oxide (NO) donor molsidomine and the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) on pulmonary endothelin (ET)-1 gene expression and ET-1 plasma levels in chronic hypoxic rats. Two and four weeks of hypoxia (10% O2) significantly increased right ventricular systolic pressure, the medial cross-sectional vascular wall area of the pulmonary arteries, and pulmonary ET-1 mRNA expression (2-fold and 3.2-fold, respectively). ET-1 plasma levels were elevated after 4 wk of hypoxia. In rats exposed to 4 wk of hypoxia, molsidomine (15 mg x kg(-1) x day(-1)) given either from the beginning or after 2 wk of hypoxia significantly reduced pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary vascular remodeling, pulmonary ET-1 gene expression, and ET-1 plasma levels. L-NAME administration (45 mg x kg(-1) x day(-1)) in rats subjected to 2 wk of hypoxia did not modify these parameters. Our findings suggest that in chronic hypoxic rats, exogenously administered NO acts in part by suppressing the formation of ET-1. In contrast, inhibition of endogenous NO production exerts only minor effects on the pulmonary circulation and pulmonary ET-1 synthesis in these animals.