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Abstract

Objectives Eclampsia is an acute and life threatening multisystem disorder, which may predisposes the brain to edema formation and increase the electric activity of neurons. Aquaporin 4 (AQP4) can function as water-channels and aquaporin 9 (AQP9) as neutral channel. We hypothesized that these AQPs in brain are associated with the pathogenesis of preeclampsia and eclampsia. Methods To test this hypothesis, we used our previous eclampsia-like model and compared localization (immunohistochemistry, IHC), mRNA (QRT-PCR), and protein levels (Western analysis) of AQP4 and AQP9 in hippocampus from Sprague Dawley rats that were non-pregnant (NP), normal pregnant rats (P); preeclampsia rats (PE) and eclampsia-like rats (E). Results IHC confirmed the presence of these proteins in the hippocampus. Western analysis revealed that the major AQP4 band at 32 kDa and AQP9 band at 33 kDa. AQPs were significantly elevated in PE and E group compared with NP and P rats. Both AQP4 and AQP9 mRNA were detected in the tissue of all the animals. AQPs mRNA increased in PE rats and got even higher after seizure. Conclusions This study suggests that the higher levels of AQPs in the brain during preeclampsia may predispose the brain to edema formation and increase the electric activity of neurons. These changes during preeclampsia may result in eclampsia. The AQPs expression is higher in preeclampsia rats and further increasing in eclampsia model, suggesting that AQPs may play a role in the pathological of preeclamsia. Disclosures Q. Huang: None. H. Liu: None. J. Bao: None. G. Zhang: None. B. Hu: None. S.P. Brennecke: None.