Role of reactive oxygen species during hypertension in response to chronic antiangiogenic factor (sFlt-1) excess in pregnant rats.
BACKGROUND
Preeclampsia is associated with increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the antiangiogenic factor, soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1). Moreover, recent studies have indicated that chronic sFlt-1 excess causes hypertension in pregnant animals. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of ROS in mediating sFlt-1-induced hypertension in the pregnant rat.


METHODS
Mean arterial pressure (MAP), and plasma sFlt-1 and tissue ROS levels were measured in the following groups: (i) pregnant controls; (ii) sFlt-1-treated pregnant rats; (iii) Tempol-treated pregnant rats; (iv) sFlt-1- and Tempol-treated pregnant rats.


RESULTS
MAP increased from 104 ± 2 mm Hg in pregnant control rats to 118 ± 3 mm Hg (P = 0.002) in sFlt-1-infused rats. Basal and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)-stimulated levels of tissue ROS were increased in response to excess sFlt-1 during pregnancy. Pretreatment with Tempol attenuated oxidative stress and hypertension in response to sFlt-1.


CONCLUSIONS
ROS play an important role in mediating hypertension in response to chronic sFlt-1 excess during pregnancy.
Tam Tam
Kiran B
KB
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, USA.
Lamarca
Babbette
B
Arany
Marietta
M
Cockrell
Kathy
K
Fournier
Lillian
L
Murphy
Sydney
S
Martin
James N
JN
Granger
Joey P
JP
D000818:Animals; D001794:Blood Pressure; D005260:Female; D046110:Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced / Q000209:etiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000097:blood; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology*
D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; C501164:Flt1 protein, rat; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1