Beneficial effects of thymulin in MCT-induced pulmonary hypertension and its modulation of IL-6 gene expression.

• Type: Summary of Presentation in an International Conference
• Date: 2006

Authors

Henriques-Coelho T (Author) FMUP; Carvalho FLF (Author) Other; Oliveira SM (Author) FMUP; Brandão-Nogueira A (Author) Other; Santos M (Author) FMUP; Roncon-Albuquerque R Jr (Author) FMUP; Correia-Pinto J (Author) FMUP; Leite-Moreira AF (Author) FMUP

Conference proceedings International

Title: European Heart Journal

Pages: 901-902

World Congress of Cardiology

Barcelona, SPAIN, 02 a 06 de Setembro de 2006

Scientific classification

FOS: Medical and Health sciences > Other medical sciences

Other information

Resumo (PT): Inflammation has an important pathophysiologic role in Pulmonary Hypertension (PH). Indeed, inflammatory cells recruitment and activation, with the release of cytokines (such as IL-6 and IL-1) and growth factors, may underlie the pulmonary vasoconstrition and vascular remodeling that characterize PH. Thymulin, produced by thymic epithelial cells, is a nonapeptide neuroendocrine hormone with immunoregulatory actions, depressing C-C and CXC cytokines in the lung. In this study, we evaluated thymulin effects in a model of monocrotaline (MCT)-induced PH. Adult Wistar rats randomly received a subcutaneous injection of MCT (60 mg/kg) or an equal volume of vehicle. At D1, animals were randomly assigned to receive a subcutaneous injection of thymulin (10 ng/100g, qd for 3 wk) or saline. Three groups were analyzed: normal rats injected with saline (Sham, n = 7), MCT rats injected with saline (MCT, n = 9) and MCT rats treated with thymulin (MCT+Thym, n = 9). At the end of the third week, right ventricular (RV) hemodynamic parameters were measured: peak systolic RV pressure (RVPmax), peak rates of RV pressure rise (RV dP/dtmax) and RV end-diastolic filling pressures (RVEDP). Heart and lungs were weighted and samples were collected for real-time PCR analysis of IL-6 mRNA levels. Results are summarized in the table below and expressed as means±SE. P<0.05: a vs Sham; b vs MCT. Results Sham MCT MCT+Thym RV/LV, g/g 0.38±0.01 0.50±0.07 a 0.34±0.03 b Lung/BW, g/kg 4.17±0.2 12.4±1.0 a 6.62±0.4 b IL6 lung, AU 1.0±0.32 17.4±3.8 a 3.8±1.3 b IL6 RV, AU 1.0±0.34 8.0±2.1 a 0.6±0.3 b RVPmax, mmHg 25±2 56±8 a 24±3 b dP/dtmax, mmHg/s 1231±108 1669±181 a 1191±90 b RVEDP, mmHg 1.6±0.3 2.6±1.2 a 0.7±0.4 b Chronic thymulin administration, started simultaneously with the first inflammatory changes induced by MCT, completely reversed PH, RV hypertrophy and attenuated IL6 activation. Thymulin immunomodulatory potential may thus be explored as a new therapeutic tool in PH management.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

Notes: World Congress of Cardiology, published in journal, European Heart Journal 2006; Vol.27(Suppl.1):901-902.