Protective Effects Of Glycyrrhetnic Acid On A Rat Model Of Chronic Mountain Sickness

Objective: This study aims to explore the protective effects of glycyrrhetinic acid on the heart of rats with chronic mountain sickness (CMS). Methods: A CMS rat model was established and different doses of glycyrrhetinic acid were used to measure the pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) of rats. The serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), erythropoietin (EPO), C reactive protein (CRP), and apolipoprotein A1 (APO-A1) levels in rats were determined. The superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and malondialdehyde (MDA) activities in heart tissue were examined. Echocardiography was conducted to calculate right ventricular hypertrophy indices and to detect pathological changes. Results: Compared with normal rats, the rats in the model group have higher levels of PAP and serum VEGF, EPO, and CRP, lower levels of APO- A1, higher right ventricular hypertrophy indices, lower cardiac SOD and GSH-Px activities, and higher MDA level. Compared with those in the model group, the rats in all groups treated with different doses of glycyrrhetinic acid have lower level of PAP, lower serum VEGF, EPO, and CRP levels, higher level of APO-A1, lower right ventricular hypertrophy indices, higher cardiac SOD and GSH-Px activities, and lower MDA level. Conclusions: Glycyrrhetinic acid improves the heart injury in rats with chronic mountain sickness.