title: Vascular endothelial growth factor, soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 and genistein-induced changes in the vascular reactivity of rat's aorta.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  During preeclampsia (PE), the excessive circulation of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFLT1) hinders the vasodilatory effect of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). This effect has been proven in vitro in the renal artery of rats. The endothelium of the blood vessels is also said to be dysfunctional in PE. Genistein has shown the ability to antagonize the vascular contractions caused by a wide range of contractile agents. We conducted vascular reactivity studies to demonstrate the effect of: (i) sFLT1 on the vasodilatory effect of VEGF; and (ii) genistein on the vasodilatory effect of VEGF and its effects on denuded blood vessels (dysfunctional endothelium).
  
  
  METHODS
  Isolated aortas of male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to sFLT1 or genistein and then subjected to increasing doses of VEGF.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The presence of sFLT1 inhibited the vasodilatory effect of VEGF in the rats' aortas. Genistein significantly potentiated the vasodilatory effect by the VEGF.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results suggest that genistein may help overcome the vasospasm in PE. It may be a promising therapeutic approach to PE.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Anne R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Fernandez
authors.forename: Ruby
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Husain
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001011:Aorta / Q000187:drug effects; D004727:Endothelium / Q000187:drug effects; D019833:Genistein / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D046509:Tissue Culture Techniques; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000494:pharmacology*; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D019833:Genistein; C501164:Flt1 protein, rat; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1
keywords: genistein; rat's aorta; soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1; vascular endothelial growth factor; vascular reactivity