Activators of hypoxia inducible factors (HIFs), such as roxadustat, are promising agents for anemia treatment. However, since HIFs are also involved in the regulation of the pulmonary circulation, we hypothesized that roxadustat increases pulmonary vascular resistance and vasoconstrictor reactivity. Using isolated, cell-free solution perfused rat lungs, we found perfusion pressure-flow curves to be shifted to higher pressures by 2 weeks of roxadustat treatment (10 mg/kg every other day), although not as much as by chronic hypoxic exposure. Vasoconstrictor reactivity to angiotensin II and acute hypoxic challenges was not altered by roxadustat. Since roxadustat may inhibit angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), we also tested a purported ACE2 activator, diminazene aceturate (DIZE, 0.1 mM). It produced paradoxical, unexplained pulmonary vasoconstriction. We conclude that the risk of serious pulmonary hypertension is not high when roxadustat is given for 14 days, but monitoring is advisable.

• MeSH
• Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 * MeSH
• Vascular Resistance MeSH
• Hypoxia chemically induced   MeSH
• Rats MeSH
• Vasoconstrictor Agents * pharmacology   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Rats MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 * MeSH
• Vasoconstrictor Agents * MeSH