Hyperhomocysteinemia in pregnant rats: effects on arterial pressure, kidneys and fetal growth.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to test the hypothesis that hyperhomocysteinemia plays a role in the development of pathological changes similar to human preeclampsia in pregnant rats.


METHODS
Arterial pressure and 24-h urinary excretion of proteins and electrolytes were measured during pre-pregnancy, pregnancy and postpartum periods in control (n = 12) and methionine-treated (2.0 g/kg/day, n = 11) Sprague-Dawley rats. Rats were then sacrificed at the end of this protocol and renal histological examination was performed. In another protocol, control (n = 6) and methionine-treated (n = 6) rats were anaesthetized at day 20 of gestation and pregnancy outcome was assessed. Hemodynamic and renal excretory differences between groups were analyzed using ANOVA and differences in renal histology and gestation outcome using t-test.


RESULTS
Serum homocysteine in the methionine group (24.0+/-2.0 micromol/L) was significantly higher compared with controls (8.5+/-0.5 micromol/L). Systolic pressure, urinary protein excretion and renal histological changes were not significantly different between the two groups. However, fetal weights were significantly smaller and percent of dead fetuses were 15% higher in methionine-treated compared with control rats.


CONCLUSIONS
Hyperhomocysteinemia is unlikely to cause maternal hypertension, proteinuria or renal damage in pregnant rats. However, hyperhomocysteinemia may restrict fetal growth and increase fetal mortality.
Kassab
Salah E
SE
Department of Physiology, College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Arabian Gulf University, P.O. Box 22979, Manama, Bahrain. skassab@agu.edu.bh
Abu-Hijleh
Marwan F
MF
Al-Shaikh
Hani B
HB
Nagalla
Das S
DS
D000818:Animals; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology*; D020138:Hyperhomocysteinemia / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007668:Kidney / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology*; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011507:Proteinuria / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley