SFLT1/PIGF angiogenic relationship in the experimental model of preeclampsia induced by sympathetic activation in the mouse (679.5)

Abstract

It has been reported that angiogenic factors involved during pregnancy, are altered during the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. Despite some conflicting results, the majority of studies indicate an increase of soluble factor‐like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt‐1) with reduced placental growth factor (PIGF). However, many doubts still prevail about the angiogenic response and its relation to this disease. The purpose was to determine plasma levels of sFlt‐1 and PIGF in healthy pregnant CD1 mice (n = 7 / duplicate) and a group of pregnant mice subjected to chronic cold stress (Walking on cold platform 0°C/20 min/day) for 11 days (from day 7 to 17), a validated model for experimental preeclampsia in rats. Results: the group subjected to cold stress showed decreased levels of sFlt‐1 in respect to control group (ct 7137±487 < st 9742±846 pg/mL; p<0.001 Student t). PIGF levels increased significantly with stress (ct 3.88±1.5 < st 40.20±4.2 pg/mL; p<0.001 Student t). Besides we quantified plasma glucose levels, which increased in a non significant in the stress group (163±44 ct < st 174.6 ± 54 mg/dL). Moreover, stressed mice showed a non significant decrease in weight at 17 day of gestation (53.1 ± 4.4 ct > st 51.9±8.3 g). These data may indicate that the results are polarized to a sympathetic nervous system response. In our work, the angiogenic factors behaved contrary to several reports. This could be due to release of Neuropeptide Y by sympathetic activation. This compound has been related to cause pro‐angiogenic effects. These may indicate that the diagnostic criteria of preeclampsia, not necessarily are associated with endothelial and / or angiogenic dysfunction.