Abstract 316: Effects of Inhibiting of Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase in the Pathophysiology of Experimental Preeclampsia

Abstract

The pathophysiology of preeclampsia (PE) is not entirely known. However, increased oxidative stress possibly leading to impaired nitric oxide activity has been implicated in the critical condition. Increased oxidative stress with increased levels of highly reactive species including superoxide may generate peroxynitrite. We examined the role of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and oxidative stress in the reduced uterine perfusion pressure (RUPP) preeclampsia experimental model. METHODS: RUPP was induced in wistar rats. Pregnant rats in the RUPP group had their aortic artery clipped at day 14 of gestation. After a midline incision, a silver clip (0.203 mm) was placed around the aorta above the iliac bifurcation; silver clips (0.100 mm) were also placed on branches of both the right and left ovarian arteries that supply the uterus. Sham-operated (pregnant control rats) and RUPP rats were treated with oral vehicle or 1 mg/kg/day 1400W (iNOS inhibitor) for 5 days. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) and plasma levels of thiobarbituric acid-reactive species (TBARS) and total radical-trapping antioxidant potential (TRAP) were measured determined. Aortic iNOS expression (Western blotting) and reactive oxygen species (ROS; assessed by fluorescence microscopy with dihydroethidium-DHE) were measured. We found increased mean arterial pressure in RUPP compared with pregnant control rats (MAP= 128±1 vs. 100±1.8 mmHg, respectively; P<0.05) and 1400W exerted antihypertensive effects (MAP= 114±2 vs.128±1 mmHg in RUPP treated and untreated rats, respectively; P<0.05). Higher reactive oxygen species (ROS) concentrations were found in RUPP compared with pregnant control rats (7.1±0.5 vs. 5.1±0.5 arbitrary units (A.U.), respectively; P<0.05) and 1400W decreased ROS production to 5.8±0.02 A.U. in RUPP treated rats, P<0.05. In addition, 1400W attenuated iNOS expression in RUPP rats (0.29±0.02 vs. 0.55±0.8 A.U. in RUPP treated and untreated rats, respectively; P<0.01) and had no effects on plasma TBARS and TRAP levels. Our results suggest that 1400w exerts antihypertensive effects in the RUPP model and suppresses ROS formation. Supported by FAPESP,Cnpq.