Endothelin type A receptor antagonist attenuates placental ischemia-induced hypertension and uterine vascular resistance

Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2011 Apr;204(4):330.e1-4. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2011.01.049.

Abstract

Objective: We sought to determine the effect of an endothelin type A receptor antagonist (ETA) on uterine artery resistive index (UARI) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) in a placental ischemia rat model of preeclampsia produced by reduction in uterine perfusion pressure (RUPP).

Study design: UARI was assessed by Doppler velocimetry in RUPP and normal pregnant controls (NP) on gestational days (GD) 12, 15, and 18. UARI was also determined on GD 18 in NP and RUPP pregnant dams after pretreatment with ETA. MAP was recorded on GD 19.

Results: The RUPP group had a higher MAP and UARI on GD 15 and 18 than the NP group. Pretreatment with ETA attenuated both the MAP and GD-18 UARI in the RUPP group without affecting these parameters in the NP group.

Conclusion: The improvement in UARI could be one potential mechanism for the reduction in MAP in response to ETA in pregnant dams with ischemic placentas.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Atrasentan
  • Blood Flow Velocity / drug effects
  • Blood Flow Velocity / physiology
  • Blood Pressure / drug effects
  • Blood Pressure / physiology
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Endothelin Receptor Antagonists*
  • Female
  • Hypertension / drug therapy*
  • Hypertension / physiopathology
  • Ischemia / drug therapy
  • Ischemia / physiopathology
  • Placenta / blood supply*
  • Placenta / drug effects
  • Placenta / physiopathology
  • Pregnancy
  • Pyrrolidines / pharmacology
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Ultrasonography
  • Uterine Artery / diagnostic imaging
  • Uterine Artery / physiopathology*
  • Vascular Resistance / drug effects*
  • Vascular Resistance / physiology

Substances

  • Endothelin Receptor Antagonists
  • Pyrrolidines
  • Atrasentan