The effect of Kraussianone-2 (Kr2), a natural pyrano-isoflavone from Eriosema kraussianum, in an L-NAME- induced pre-eclamptic rat model.
This study aimed to investigate the effects of Kraussianone-2 (Kr2), a pyrano-isoflavone isolated from the roots of Eriosema kraussianum N. E. Br. (Fabaceae) on various fetal and physiological parameters in pregnant, L-NAME treated Sprague-Dawley rats. Twenty-four pregnant Sprague-Dawley dams were divided into three groups (n = 8), i.e. the control group (CON), the experimental control group (PRE), where the pre-eclampsia-like symptoms were induced using L-NAME, and the experimental group (EK2), where the pre-eclampsia-like symptoms were once again induced using L-NAME, however, these animals were treated with Kr2. On gestation day 20 the animals were sacrificed, at which time a laparotomy was performed and the number of live pups were counted and their corresponding birth and placental weights were recorded. Blood was also collected in heparin-coated tubes and the plasma samples were then analysed for specific variables using commercially available kits for rats. Kraussianone-2 administration decreased fetal mortality and demonstrated a trend toward increasing birth and placental weights in this model. Furthermore, Kr2 administration also reduced blood pressure amplification and decreased the plasma concentrations of two antiangiogenic factors, soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase1 (sFlt-1) and soluble endoglin (sEng). We speculate that Kr2, by improving uterine artery blood flow, results in improved fetal outcomes and decreased antiangiogenic factors in pregnant, L-NAME treated, Sprague-Dawley rats.
Department of Physiology and Physiological Chemistry, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa. shamal.ramesar@yahoo.com
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Ramesar
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Drewes
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Gathiram
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J
Moodley
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Mackraj
D000818:Animals; D001724:Birth Weight; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D000071063:Endoglin; D007887:Fabaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000097:blood; D007529:Isoflavones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000097:blood; D000072483:Placenta Growth Factor; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins / Q000097:blood; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000097:blood; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 / Q000097:blood
D000071063:Endoglin; C501740:Eng protein, rat; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D007529:Isoflavones; C000608038:Pgf protein, rat; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; C509956:kraussianone-2; C467498:vascular endothelial growth factor A, rat; D000072483:Placenta Growth Factor; D009569:Nitric Oxide; C501164:Flt1 protein, rat; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester