Vasoactive effects of neurokinin B on human blood vessels.
OBJECTIVE
Preeclampsia (PE) is a multisystem disease unique to human pregnancy. Abnormal placentation results in placental hypoperfusion leading to the secretion of a factor(s) by the placenta. Our aim was to investigate whether neurokinin B (NKB) is the circulating factor associated with PE.


METHODS
Vascular effects of NKB were assessed in blood vessels dissected from myometrial and omental biopsy specimens obtained at caesarean section from normal pregnant women (n = 26) or in mesenteric blood vessels obtained from nonpregnant female Wistar rats (n = 4).


RESULTS
Incubation with NKB did not alter endothelial-dependent relaxation of omental or myometrial arteries. NKB produced a dose-dependent relaxation in preconstricted omental arteries and veins. NKB did not affect vasoactive responsiveness of rat mesenteric arteries.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude from these observations that NKB is not the circulating factor associated with increased vascular resistance in PE.
Wareing
Mark
M
Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, St Mary's Hospital, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK. Mark.Wareing@man.ac.uk
Bhatti
Hina
H
O'hara
Maureen
M
Kenny
Louise
L
Warren
Averil Y
AY
Taggart
Michael J
MJ
Baker
Philip N
PN
D000818:Animals; D001127:Arginine Vasopressin / Q000494:pharmacology; D001158:Arteries; D001706:Biopsy; D002585:Cesarean Section; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008638:Mesenteric Arteries; D009126:Muscle Relaxation / Q000187:drug effects*; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D009215:Myometrium / Q000098:blood supply; D015287:Neurokinin B / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009852:Omentum / Q000098:blood supply; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D014655:Vascular Resistance; D014661:Vasoconstriction / Q000187:drug effects; D014680:Veins
D001127:Arginine Vasopressin; D015287:Neurokinin B