Placental gene expression of calcitonin gene-related peptide and nitric oxide synthases in preeclampsia: effects of magnesium sulfate.
OBJECTIVE
To determine placental gene expression of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CRLR), receptor activity modifying protein 1 (RAMP1), and endothelial and inducible nitric oxide synthases (eNOS and iNOS) in mild preeclampsia, and to assess the effects of magnesium sulfate (MgSO4).


METHODS
Term placentas were obtained from 10 normotensive (NT group), 10 preeclamptic (PE) patients treated with 0.9% NaCl solution (PES group), and 8 PE women who received MgSO4 (PEMgSO4 group). The levels of mRNA were evaluated by real-time PCR.


RESULTS
Placental gene expression of CRLR, RAMP1 and iNOS were significantly higher (p < 0.001) in the PES group than in the NT group, without changes in CGRP. In addition, eNOS expression was 67% lower (p < 0.001) in the PES group. When compared with the PES group, the PEMgSO4 group showed significantly higher expression (p < 0.05) of CGRP, CRLR and eNOS, while iNOS was significantly lower (p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Placental gene expression of CRLR, RAMP1 and iNOS is higher in preeclampsia than in normal pregnancy, and MgSO4 treatment increased CGRP and CRLR and presented opposite effects upon eNOS and iNOS.
Department of Reproductive Biology, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Tlalpan, 14000, México DF, México.
Ana Carolina
AC
Ariza
Norma
N
Bobadilla
Lorenza
L
Díaz
Euclides
E
Avila
Fernando
F
Larrea
Ali
A
Halhali
D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide / Q000235:genetics*; D058286:Calcitonin Receptor-Like Protein; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D008278:Magnesium Sulfate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II / Q000235:genetics*; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III / Q000235:genetics*; D010920:Placenta / Q000378:metabolism*; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D058262:Receptor Activity-Modifying Protein 1; D058261:Receptor Activity-Modifying Proteins; D018003:Receptors, Calcitonin / Q000235:genetics
C545578:CALCRL protein, human; D058286:Calcitonin Receptor-Like Protein; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; C545502:RAMP1 protein, human; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D058262:Receptor Activity-Modifying Protein 1; D058261:Receptor Activity-Modifying Proteins; D018003:Receptors, Calcitonin; D008278:Magnesium Sulfate; C496319:NOS2 protein, human; C496314:NOS3 protein, human; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide