SuHx PAH Rat Model | Preclinical Pulmonary Hypertension CRO

SuHx-Induced PAH Rat Model for Preclinical Efficacy Studies

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a progressive disease characterized by increased pulmonary arterial pressure, pulmonary vascular remodeling, and eventual right ventricular dysfunction. The SuHx model combines Sugen 5416, a VEGF receptor inhibitor, with chronic hypoxia to induce severe pulmonary hypertension in rodents. At IPST, the SuHx-induced PAH model is used to evaluate therapeutic strategies targeting pulmonary vascular remodeling, vasodilation, right-heart dysfunction, and reverse remodeling.

SuHx-Induced PAH - Methodology

Species: rats or mice
Induction: Sugen 5416 combined with chronic hypoxia
Typical timeline: approximately 3 weeks of hypoxia followed by 5 weeks of normoxia
Study design: treatment windows can be adapted to the therapeutic mechanism, including prevention, intervention, or reversal protocols
Applications: efficacy testing, target engagement, hemodynamic characterization, and pulmonary vascular remodeling assessment

SuHx-Induced PAH - Readouts & Application

Readouts:

Pulmonary arterial pressure
Systemic arterial pressure
Pulse pressure
Pulmonary vascular resistance
Heart rate and oxygen saturation
Echocardiography: stroke volume, cardiac output, Vmax, PAAT, VTI
Right ventricular hypertrophy and remodeling
Pulmonary vascular remodeling and vessel occlusion
Histology, morphometry, and biomarker analysis

Application:

The SuHx-induced PAH model is suitable for evaluating vasodilators, anti-remodeling therapies, regenerative approaches, and disease-modifying agents in a translational model of severe pulmonary hypertension. The model is particularly useful when functional hemodynamic endpoints must be integrated with echocardiography, right-heart remodeling, pulmonary vascular histology, and biomarker readouts.