Effect and mechanism of salvianolic acid B in attenuating elevated portal pressure in a rat model of portal hypertension induced by endothelin-1

Objective: To investigate the effects of salvianolic acid B (SA-B) on portal hypertension induced by endothelin-1 in rats. Methods: Twenty-eight Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: ET-1 group, ET-1+SA-B group, ET-1+ETAR blocker (BQ-123) group and ET-1+ETBR blocker (BQ-788) group. The rats of ET-1+SA-B group underwent intragastrical administration of salvianolic acid B for five days before ET-1 injection, while in three other groups' drinking water was given. In BQ-123 group or BQ-788 group, an intravenous injection of BQ-123 or BQ-788 via femoral vein was administered 30 minutes prior to ET-1 injection. Then changes of portal pressure, cervical artery pressure and heart rate were monitored continuously. Results: After ET-1 injection, the portal pressure of all rats in the ET-1 group increased significantly, while slightly in groups that pretreated with SA-B, BQ-123 or BQ-788. Conclusion: SA-B can attenuate the elevated portal pressure induced by ET-1 with effect similar to ETR blocker.