Single-Dose Monocrotaline Pyrrole Injection as a Model of Pulmonary Endothelial Injury In Mice

Abstract

Monocrotaline (MCT) is a plant substance that induces severe pulmonary hypertension in several animals except for mice. The aim of our study was to state whether monocrotaline pyrrole (MCTp), the main monocrotaline metabolite, could induce significant injury in mouse lung when given intravenously. MCTp caused moderate pulmonary inflammation, remodelling of small distal vessels (percentage of muscularized arteries: 33,5 vs 20,6%, p[≤]0,0006) and a right ventricular dysfunction (RVSP 27,8mmHg vs 16,4mmHg, p[≤]0,0001; Fulton index 0,35 vs 0,26, p[≤]0,0007). These vascular effects were associated with a decrease in eNOS protein expression in lung tissues and resolved after 45 days. In conclusion, we developed a model of endothelial dysfunction and transient pulmonary hypertension in mice.