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Oxidative stress in severe pulmonary hypertension
Rebecca Bowers1, Carlyne Cool, Robert C Murphy
1Pulmonary Hypertension Center, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, National Jewish Medical and Research Center, Denver 80262, USA.
American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine
|January 1, 2004
Summary
Severe pulmonary hypertension (PH) lungs show oxidative stress, evidenced by nitrotyrosine and elevated eicosanoids. Chronic prostacyclin treatment reduced these markers, suggesting an anti-inflammatory effect.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Cardiovascular Research
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Pulmonary hypertension (PH) involves complex lung vascular lesions and inflammation.
- The role of oxidative stress in PH pathogenesis is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether lung tissue from patients with severe PH exhibits signs of oxidative stress.
- To assess the impact of chronic prostacyclin therapy on oxidative stress markers in PH lungs.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry used to detect nitrotyrosine and 8-hydroxy guanosine in lung tissue.
- Mass spectroscopy measured eicosanoid metabolites (5-oxo-eicosatetraenoic acid, HETEs).
- Superoxide dismutase levels and activity were quantified.
Main Results:
- Nitrotyrosine expression was present in all PH lungs examined.
- Elevated levels of 5-oxo-eicosatetraenoic acid and HETEs were found in PH lungs.
- These elevated markers were not observed in PH lungs from patients treated with chronic prostacyclin.
Conclusions:
- Lung tissue from patients with severe PH is indeed under significant oxidative stress.
- Chronic prostacyclin infusion demonstrates an anti-inflammatory effect on lung tissue in severe PH.