DIZE reduced RV systolic pressure and RV and plasma BNP
Significant increases in the right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) were observed in the SuPNx42 groups when compared with the sham-operated rats (Figure 2A). Both early (SuPNx42/DIZE1–42) and late DIZE treatment (SuPNx42/DIZe29–42) groups decreased the RVSP when compared with the vehicle treatment group (Figure 2A). The Fulton index, weight ratio of right ventricle to left ventricle plus septum (RV/LV+S), in the SuPNx42 rats was significantly increased than the sham-operated rats, which indicated the right ventricle was hypertrophied in the SuPNx42 animals (Figure 2B). However, the RV/LV+S ratio in either the early or late DIZE treatment group was not different when compared to SuPNx42 group (Figure 2B). There were no significant changes among all 4 groups in the lung or body weight (Figures 2C and 2D).
Plasma BNP, an index of heart failure, was elevated significantly in the SuPNx42 group compared with the sham-operated rats. In the early treatment group (SuPNx42/DIZE1–42), DIZE resulted in significant decreases in plasma BNP compared to that of vehicle-treated SuPNx42 rats, but no significant changes were seen in the late treatment group (SuPNx42/DIZE29–42) (Figure 3A).
Similar to the plasma BNP, RV BNP was also elevated significantly in SuPNx42 group compared with the sham-operated rats. Both the early treatment group (SuPNx42/DIZE1–42) and the late treatment group (SuPNx42/DIZE29–42) displayed significant decreases in the levels of RV BNP compared to that found in the vehicle-treated SuPNx42 rats (Figure 3B).