Inhibitory effects of methylxanthines on the pre-eclamptic-like symptoms in ewes

Abstract

Objective: Our objective was to determine whether two methylxanthines, pentoxifylline (PTX) and allopurinol, would have beneficial effects on experimental pregnancy-induced pre-eclampsia- like disease in ewes. Study design: 20 animals at the gestational age of 130–135 days were divided into four groups (control; fasting; fasting, pentoxifylline-treated; and fasting, allopurinol-treated). The illness was provoked with a 4-day fasting period. Electrolytes, glucose, conventional parameters, plasma haem content, indirect bilirubin concentration and free thiol levels were measured. Results: Unlike in the fasting group, conventional signs of the disease, such as hypertension, kidney and liver injury and platelet count decrease, were all mitigated in the fasting, drug-treated animals. In the treated animals plasma haem content increased by a less significant level, while indirect bilirubin concentration showed a more rapid rise. Conclusions: Both methylxanthines partly inhibited the pre-eclamptic-like symptoms in ewes. We speculate that the better induction of haem oxygenase might play an important role in this inhibitory effect on this particular animal model.