Docosapentaenoic acid monoacylglyceride reduces inflammation and vascular remodeling in experimental pulmonary hypertension

Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2014 Aug 15;307(4):H574-86. doi: 10.1152/ajpheart.00814.2013.

Abstract

n-3 Polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) have been shown to reduce inflammation and proliferation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells under pathophysiological conditions. However, the anti-inflammatory effect of the newly synthesized docosapentaenoic acid monoacylglyceride (MAG-DPA) on key signaling pathways in pulmonary hypertension (PH) pathogenesis has yet to be assessed. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of MAG-DPA on pulmonary inflammation and remodeling occurring in a rat model of PH, induced by a single injection of monocrotaline (MCT: 60 mg/kg). Our results demonstrate that MAG-DPA treatment for 3 wk following MCT injection resulted in a significant improvement of right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH) and a reduction in Fulton's Index (FI). Morphometric analyses revealed that the wall thickness of pulmonary arterioles was significantly lower in MCT + MAG-DPA-treated rats compared with controls. This result was further correlated with a decrease in Ki-67 immunostaining. Following MAG-DPA treatments, lipid analysis showed a consistent increase in DPA together with lower levels of arachidonic acid (AA), as measured in blood and tissue samples. Furthermore, in MCT-treated rats, oral administration of MAG-DPA decreased NF-κB and p38 MAPK activation, leading to a reduction in MMP-2, MMP-9, and VEGF expression levels in lung tissue homogenates. Altogether, these data provide new evidence regarding the mode of action of MAG-DPA in the prevention of pulmonary hypertension induced by MCT.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Arachidonic Acid / metabolism
  • Arterioles / drug effects*
  • Arterioles / pathology
  • Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / pharmacology
  • Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / therapeutic use*
  • Hypertension, Pulmonary / drug therapy*
  • Inflammation / drug therapy
  • Lipid Metabolism
  • Lung / blood supply
  • Lung / metabolism
  • Male
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / genetics
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / metabolism
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / genetics
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / metabolism
  • Monoglycerides / pharmacology
  • Monoglycerides / therapeutic use*
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / genetics
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / metabolism
  • Vascular Remodeling / drug effects*
  • p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism

Substances

  • 1-O-docosapentaenoylglycerol
  • Fatty Acids, Unsaturated
  • Monoglycerides
  • NF-kappa B
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Arachidonic Acid
  • p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 2
  • Mmp2 protein, rat
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 9
  • Mmp9 protein, rat
  • docosapentaenoic acid