Expression of MMP-3 Gene in Pulmonary Vascular Remodeling Rat with Pulmonary Hypertension Induced by Monocrotaline

Objective To explore the etiology of pulmonary hypertension with relation to the pulmonary expression of matrix metalloprotease 3 (MMP - 3). Methods Rat models with pulmonary hypertension were induced by subcutaneous injection of monocrotaline (MCT), the pulmonary arterial pressure was measured by cathetrization, and the pulmonary MMP - 3 mRNA expression levels were de- termined by RT - PCR. The contents of hydroxyproline in the main pulmonary artery were tested by chromometry. Results The pulmonary arterial pressure was increased significantly on day 21 after monocrotaline injection and arrived the peak on day 28, the expression level of pulmonary MMP - 3 mR- NA was increased significantly on day 7 and then dropped gradually on day 14、2l、28. The content of hydroxyproline in the main pulmonary artery was decreased on day 14 compared with the control and then was increased on day 21、28. Conclusion MMP - 3 over - expression is involved in the development of pulmonary hypertension, and might play an important role during earlier stages of pulmonary artery remodeling.