77 Choline supplementation during pregnancy protects against lipopolysaccharide-induced preeclampsia symptoms

Abstract

Introduction Pre-eclampsia is characterized by new-onset hypertension and proteinuria at ⩾20 weeks of gestation. Our previous study demonstrated that the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway may contribute to the relief of Pre-eclampsia through α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7 nAChR). Choline, a selective α7 nAChR agonist, has recently been established as a promising treatment for inflammation. Objectives In order to examine the effects of gestational choline supplementation on LPS-induced pre-eclampsia symptoms in rats. Methods Pre-eclampsia model was induced by lipopolysaccharide (1.0 μ g/kg) via tail vein injection on gestational day (GD) 14. Pregnant SD rats were placed on a supplemented (5.0 g/kg diet) or normal (1.1 g/kg diet) choline diet throughout gestation. All the rats were divided into 4 groups (P = normal pregnant + 1.1 g/kg choline diet; P-CHOLINE = normal pregnant + 5.0 g/kg choline diet; LPS = LPS + 1.1 g/kg choline diet; LPS-CHOLINE = LPS +5.0 g/kg choline diet). Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was measured on GD 6,11,14,16 and 18. On GD 7, 12, 17, and 19, urine is collected for 24 h urinary albumin excretion measurements. On GD 20, dams were all sacrificed. Pups were then removed, counted and weighed. Percent of resorbed and malformation fetuses were also counted. Placental weights were measured. Results An injection with LPS on GD 14 resulted in higher blood pressure (GD 14 = 105 ± 1.5 mmHg VS GD 16 = 127 ± 0.9 mmHg; GD 18 = 130 ± 1.1 mmHg, P Conclusions Thus, choline supplementation during pregnancy protects against LPS-induced pre-eclampsia. This may provide a new potential prevention strategy for pre-eclampsia.