Effect of epidural block on 24-hour urine protein in pregnant rat models with preeclampsia

Abstract

To investigate the effects of epidural block on 24-hour urine protein in rat with preeclampsia (PE). Thirty healthy pregnant Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups (each group with 10 rats). From the 14th day of pregnancy, the rats in Group A were given subcutaneous normal saline (0.5ml) every day in a total of 7days; the rats in Group B were given subcutaneous L: -nitroarginomethyl ester (L: -NAME) (50mg) every day in a total of 7days; and the rats in Group C both were given subcutaneous L: -NAME (50mg) every day and underwent epidural block with 25μl of 0.125% bupivacaine twice every day all in a total of 7days. The 24-hour urine protein and systolic blood pressure on the 13th and 20th day of pregnancy were measured. On the 13th day of pregnancy, there was no statistical significant difference in 24-hour urine protein and systolic blood pressure between the three groups (P>0.05). On the 20th day of pregnancy, 24-hour urine protein and systolic blood pressure all were higher in Group B and C than in Group A (P<0.01 and P<0.05)) and all were lower in Group C than in Group B (P<0.01 and P<0.05). Epidural block can decrease 24-hour urine protein and systolic blood pressure in pregnant rat models with PE. This study provides a potential strategy for treatment of PE.