The pathogenesis of pulmonary hypertension (PH) includes an inflammatory response. Thymulin, a zinc-dependent thymic hormone, has important immunobiological effects by inhibiting various proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines. We investigated morphological and hemodynamic effects of thymulin administration in a rat model of monocrotaline (MCT)-induced PH, as well as the pattern of proinflammatory cytokine gene expression and the intracellular pathways involved. Adult Wistar rats received an injection of MCT (60 mg/kg, sc) or an equal volume of saline. One day after, the animals randomly received during 3 wk an injection of saline, vehicle (zinc plus carboxymethyl cellulose), or thymulin (100 ng/kg, sc, daily). At d 23-25, the animals were anesthetized for hemodynamic recordings, whereas heart and lungs were collected for morphometric and molecular analysis. Thymulin prevented morphological, hemodynamic, and inflammatory cardiopulmonary profile characteristic of MCT-induced PH, whereas part of these effects were also observed in MCT-treated animals injected with the thymulin's vehicle containing zinc. The pulmonary thymulin effect was likely mediated through suppression of p38 pathway.

Mouse embryonic exposure to alcohol, lithium, and homocysteine results in intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and cardiac defects. Our present study focuses on the placental effects. Objectives We analyzed the hypothesis that expression of nonmuscle myosin (NMM)-II isoforms involved in cell motility, mechanosensing, and extracellular matrix assembly, are altered by the three factors in human trophoblast (HTR8/SVneo) cells in vitro and in the mouse placenta in vivo. Study Design After exposure during gastrulation to alcohol, homocysteine, or lithium, ultrasonography defined embryos exhibiting abnormal placental blood flow. Results NMM-IIA /NMM-IIB are differentially expressed in trophoblasts and in mouse placental vascular endothelial cells under pathological conditions. Misexpression of NMM-IIA/ NMM-IIB in the affected placentas continued stably to mid-gestation, but can be prevented by folate and myo-inositol supplementation. Conclusions It is concluded that folate and myo-inositol initiated early in mouse pregnancy can restore NMM-II expression, permit normal placentation/embryogenesis, and prevent IUGR induced by alcohol, lithium, and homocysteine.

Relaxation therapy was associated with a positive effect on psychological stress and hemodynamic variables beyond that promoted by cardiac rehabilitation alone.

The original Cardiovascular Profile Score predicted the risk of death in right heart defects. The modified score was not validated as a good prediction tool by this study. Fetal RV pressure estimate and peak aortic velocity can be used as independent prognostic predictors.