Exogenous estrogen treatment is protective for pulmonary arterial mechanics after
Sugen/hypoxia (SuHx) exposure. (A) Right ventricular systolic
pressure (RVSP) was measured via closed-chest right-heart catheterization in
intact females (Intact) and ovariectomized females with continuous
17β-estradiol (E2) repletion (OVX+E2) or placebo (OVX+Veh)
before either normoxia (Norm) or SuHx exposure;
n = 3–8 per group.
(B) The pulmonary vascular impedance magnitude (Z) was
measured (logarithmic scale on the y-axis) for varying
pulsatile flow frequencies in Intact, OVX+E2, and OVX+Veh isolated rat
lungs after either Norm or SuHx exposure;
n = 4–9 per group.
(C) The transpulmonary gradient was measured for varying
flow rates in Intact, OVX+E2, and OVX+Veh isolated rat lungs after
either Norm or SuHx exposure; n = 4–9
per group. (D) Distal pulmonary artery distensibility in
Intact, OVX+E2, and OVX+Veh isolated rat lungs after Norm or SuHx
exposure; n = 4–9 per group.
*P < 0.05 versus Norm and
SuHx-OVX+E2.