Protective effect of pericytes against vascular leakage in rats with hemorrhagic shock

Abstract

Objective To investigate the protective effect of pericytes (PCs) against vascular leakage in rats with hemorrhagic shock. Methods Sixty-four 12- to 24-week-old SD rats weighing 200~220 g were randomized equally into sham-operated group, hemorrhagic shock group (HS group), Ringer's lactate solution treatment group (LR group), and PC treatment group (PC group). In the latter 3 groups, rat models of hemorrhagic shock were established by lowering the blood pressure to 30 mmHg, which was maintained for 3 h. Tissue samples were collected 12 h after corresponding treatment for determination of the number of pericytes, vascular permeability of the pulmonary vessels and the mesenteric microvessels, and expressions of zonula occludens 1 (ZO-1) and VE-cadherin. Results The vascular permeability was increased (P < 0.05) and the number of pericytes and expressions of ZO-1 and VE-cadherin were decreased significantly (P < 0.05) in rats with hemorrhagic shock compared with the sham-operated rats. At 12 h after LR treatment, the vascular permeability was slightly reduced, the tight junction between the endothelial cells was moderately improved and the expression levels of ZO-1 and VE-cadherin were mildly increased in rats with hemorrhagic shock. At 12 h after PC treatment, the number of pericytes in the pulmonary vein was increased, the cell morphology and tight junction between the endothelial cells were restored, and the expressions of ZO-1 and VE-cadherin were increased significantly to nearly the normal levels in rats with hemorrhagic shock (P < 0.05); the mesenteric microvascular permeability and vascular leakage were improved significantly after treatment with PCs. Conclusion PC infusion produces significantly protective effect against vascular leakage in rats with hemorrhagic shock.

Keywords

• pericytes
• hemorrhagic shock
• vascular permeability
• zonula occludens 1
• ve-cadherin