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Tian F, Dou LF, Tang LW, Gao QM, Li BW. Predictive value of placental real-time shear wave elastography combined with 3-dimensional power Doppler index for preeclampsia. Medicine (Baltimore) 2024; 103:e37372. [PMID: 38457566 PMCID: PMC10919515 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000037372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the value of placental real-time shear wave elastography combined with three-dimensional power Doppler index (3D-PDI) in the prediction of preeclampsia. We conducted a retrospective study selecting 60 pregnant women diagnosed with preeclampsia as the experimental group and 60 normal pregnant women as the control group from January 2021 to December 2022. The elastic modulus values of different regions of the placenta and placental 3D-PDI were detected and compared between the two groups. The ROC curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic value of each parameter, alone or in combination, for preeclampsia. The study findings demonstrated that the elastic modulus values of different regions of the placenta and 3D-PDI of the two groups have statistical significance. The values of SWE, VI, FI, and VFI are different in prediction of preeclampsia, and the combination of various parameters can improve the prediction value. Overall, our study provides a valuable method for the prediction of preeclampsia with the advantages of non-invasiveness, efficiency, and simplicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Tian
- Ultrasound Department, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong Province, China
| | - Lian-feng Dou
- Emergency Department, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong Province, China
| | - Li-wei Tang
- Ultrasound Department, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong Province, China
| | - Qi-min Gao
- Ultrasound Department, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong Province, China
| | - Bao-wei Li
- Ultrasound Department, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong Province, China
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Batista PR, de Alencar Silva A, Mikevely de Sena Bastos C, de Souza Borges A, Dias FJ, Ramon Dos Santos Pereira L, Tavares de Sousa Machado S, de Araújo Delmondes G, Kerntopf MR, Alencar de Menezes IR, Barbosa R. Vasorelaxant effect of (E,E)-farnesol in human umbilical vein ex vivo assays. Chem Biol Interact 2023; 386:110746. [PMID: 37816450 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2023.110746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023]
Abstract
(E,E)-farnesol is a sesquiterpene acyclic alcohol produced by bacteria, protozoa, fungi, plants, and animals. The literature describes its applications in food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries, and also in the pharmacological context with a vasorelaxant effect. However, its effects on human umbilical vessels remain poorly investigated. Thus, this study aims to investigate, in a new way, the vasorelaxant effect of (E,E)-farnesol in human umbilical veins (HUV) from healthy donors. Rings obtained from isolated HUV were suspended in an organ bath to record their isometric tension in different experimental sections. (E,E)-farnesol (1 μmol/L to 1 mmol/L) promoted vasorelaxant effect in venous preparations contracted by depolarization (KCl 60 mmol/L) or pharmacological agonism (5-HT 10 μmol/L), with EC50 values of 239.9 μmol/L and 424 μmol/L, respectively. In calcium-free solution, this effect was also observable. (E,E)-farnesol was able to suppress contractions evoked by CaCl2 and BaCl2 suggesting a blockade of voltage-dependent (especially L-type) calcium channels. The vasorelaxant efficacy and potency of (E,E)-farnesol were affected in the presence of tetraethylammonium (1 and 10 mmol/L), glibenclamide (10 μmol/L) and BaCl2 (1 mmol/L) indicating a possible involvement of potassium channels (BKCa, KATP and KIR) in this effect. Our data suggest that (E,E)-farnesol has a promising potential to be applicable as a vasodilator in hypertensive conditions in pregnancy that alter HUV reactivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulo Ricardo Batista
- Biological Chemistry Department, Pimenta Campus, Regional University of Cariri, Crato, 63105-000, Ceará, Brazil; Biological Sciences Department, Physiopharmacology of Excitable Cells Laboratory, Pimenta Campus, Regional University of Cariri, Crato, 63105-000, Ceará, Brazil.
| | - Andressa de Alencar Silva
- Biological Sciences Department, Physiopharmacology of Excitable Cells Laboratory, Pimenta Campus, Regional University of Cariri, Crato, 63105-000, Ceará, Brazil; Higher Institute of Biomedical Sciences, State University of Ceará, Fortaleza, 60714-903, Ceará, Brazil.
| | - Carla Mikevely de Sena Bastos
- Biological Chemistry Department, Pimenta Campus, Regional University of Cariri, Crato, 63105-000, Ceará, Brazil; Biological Sciences Department, Physiopharmacology of Excitable Cells Laboratory, Pimenta Campus, Regional University of Cariri, Crato, 63105-000, Ceará, Brazil.
| | - Alex de Souza Borges
- Biological Chemistry Department, Pimenta Campus, Regional University of Cariri, Crato, 63105-000, Ceará, Brazil; Biological Sciences Department, Physiopharmacology of Excitable Cells Laboratory, Pimenta Campus, Regional University of Cariri, Crato, 63105-000, Ceará, Brazil.
| | - Francisco Junio Dias
- Biological Sciences Department, Physiopharmacology of Excitable Cells Laboratory, Pimenta Campus, Regional University of Cariri, Crato, 63105-000, Ceará, Brazil.
| | - Luiz Ramon Dos Santos Pereira
- Biological Sciences Department, Physiopharmacology of Excitable Cells Laboratory, Pimenta Campus, Regional University of Cariri, Crato, 63105-000, Ceará, Brazil.
| | - Sara Tavares de Sousa Machado
- Biological Sciences Department, Physiopharmacology of Excitable Cells Laboratory, Pimenta Campus, Regional University of Cariri, Crato, 63105-000, Ceará, Brazil.
| | | | - Marta Regina Kerntopf
- Biological Chemistry Department, Pimenta Campus, Regional University of Cariri, Crato, 63105-000, Ceará, Brazil.
| | | | - Roseli Barbosa
- Biological Chemistry Department, Pimenta Campus, Regional University of Cariri, Crato, 63105-000, Ceará, Brazil; Biological Sciences Department, Physiopharmacology of Excitable Cells Laboratory, Pimenta Campus, Regional University of Cariri, Crato, 63105-000, Ceará, Brazil.
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Mun SY, Zhuang W, Park M, Jeong J, Na SH, Lee SJ, Jung WK, Choi IW, Park H, Park WS. Inhibition of voltage-dependent K + currents of rabbit coronary arterial smooth muscle cells by the atypical antipsychotic paliperidone. J Appl Toxicol 2023; 43:1926-1933. [PMID: 37551856 DOI: 10.1002/jat.4528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
Paliperidone, an atypical antipsychotic, is widely used to treat schizophrenia. In this study, we explored whether paliperidone inhibited the voltage-dependent K+ (Kv) channels of rabbit coronary arterial smooth muscle cells. Paliperidone reduced Kv channel activity in a concentration-dependent manner with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50 ) of 16.58 ± 3.03 μM and a Hill coefficient of 0.60 ± 0.04. It did not significantly shift the steady-state activation or inactivation curves, suggesting that the drug did not affect the gating properties of Kv channels. In the presence of paliperidone, the application of 20 repetitive depolarizing pulses at 1 and 2 Hz gradually increased the inhibition of the Kv current. Further, the recovery time constant after Kv channel inactivation was increased by paliperidone, indicating that it inhibited the Kv channel in a use (state)-dependent manner. Its inhibitory effects were reduced by pretreatment with a Kv1.5 subtype inhibitor. However, pretreatment with a Kv2.1 or Kv7 inhibitor did not reduce its inhibitory effect. We conclude that paliperidone inhibits Kv channels (mainly Kv1.5 subtype channels) in a concentration- and use (state)-dependent manner without changing channel gating.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seo-Yeong Mun
- Institute of Medical Sciences, Department of Physiology, Kangwon National University School of Medicine, Chuncheon, South Korea
| | - Wenwen Zhuang
- Institute of Medical Sciences, Department of Physiology, Kangwon National University School of Medicine, Chuncheon, South Korea
| | - Minju Park
- Institute of Medical Sciences, Department of Physiology, Kangwon National University School of Medicine, Chuncheon, South Korea
| | - Junsu Jeong
- Institute of Medical Sciences, Department of Physiology, Kangwon National University School of Medicine, Chuncheon, South Korea
| | - Sung Hun Na
- Institute of Medical Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kangwon National University Hospital, Kangwon National University School of Medicine, Chuncheon, South Korea
| | - Se Jin Lee
- Institute of Medical Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kangwon National University Hospital, Kangwon National University School of Medicine, Chuncheon, South Korea
| | - Won-Kyo Jung
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, and Center for Marine-Integrated Biomedical Technology (BK21 Plus), Pukyong National University, Busan, South Korea
| | - Il-Whan Choi
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Inje University, Busan, South Korea
| | - Hongzoo Park
- Institute of Medical Sciences, Department of Urology, Kangwon National University School of Medicine, Chuncheon, South Korea
| | - Won Sun Park
- Institute of Medical Sciences, Department of Physiology, Kangwon National University School of Medicine, Chuncheon, South Korea
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Cheng W, Zhang L, Sa P, Luo J, Li M. Transcriptomic analysis reveals the effects of maternal selenium deficiency on placental transport, hormone synthesis, and immune response in mice. METALLOMICS : INTEGRATED BIOMETAL SCIENCE 2022; 14:6674774. [PMID: 36002020 DOI: 10.1093/mtomcs/mfac062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Selenium deficiency has been considered to increase the risk of gestational complications. Our previous work showed that maternal selenium deficiency suppressed proliferation, induced autophagy dysfunction and apoptosis in the placenta of mice. However, other effects of maternal selenium deficiency on the placenta and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In the present study, dietary selenium deficiency in dams significantly suppressed glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity, total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), and increased malondialdehyde (MDA) content in the placentae, confirming the oxidative stress in the placenta. By transcriptome sequencing analysis, the DEGs were involved in many biological processes, including ion transport, lipid metabolic process, immune response, transmembrane transport, and others. According to the KEGG analysis, the DEGs were primarily enriched in metabolic pathways, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, and others. Among these, the steroid hormone biosynthesis pathway enriched the most DEGs. Hsd3b1, an ER enzyme involved in progesterone synthesis, was validated downregulated. Consistently, the progesterone content in the serum of the selenium-deficient group was decreased. Ion transporters and transmembrane transporters, such as Heph, Trf, Slc39a8, Slc23a1, Atp7b, and Kcnc1, were reduced in the selenium-deficient placentae. Immune response-related genes, including Ccl3, Ccl8, Cxcl10, and Cxcl14, were increased in the selenium-deficient placentae, along with an increase in macrophage number. These results suggested that maternal selenium deficiency may impair progesterone biosynthesis, reduce nutrient transporters expression, and promote immune response by increasing the oxidative stress of the placentae. This present study provides a novel insight into the possible cause of placenta disorder during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanpeng Cheng
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, Jiangsu, China
| | - Lantian Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, Jiangsu, China.,Department of Anatomy, Basic Medical College, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, Jiangsu, China
| | - Peiyue Sa
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, Jiangsu, China.,Department of Anatomy, Basic Medical College, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jing Luo
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, Jiangsu, China
| | - Mengdi Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, Jiangsu, China.,Department of Anatomy, Basic Medical College, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, Jiangsu, China
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Ye L, Yu C, Chen X, Han Y. Application Effect of Cluster-Based Care in Patients with Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy and Osteoarthritis. COMPUTATIONAL AND MATHEMATICAL METHODS IN MEDICINE 2022; 2022:2954330. [PMID: 35966246 PMCID: PMC9371866 DOI: 10.1155/2022/2954330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Objective To explore the application effect of cluster-based care in patients with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and osteoarthritis. Methods The clinical data of 60 patients with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and osteoarthritis in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed, among which those receiving routine care from January 2020 to December 2020 were grouped into the control group (30 patients), and those receiving cluster-based care from January 2021 to January 2022 were grouped into the research group (30 patients). Psychological status, care satisfaction, and pregnancy outcomes were compared between the two groups. Results After intervention, self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) and self-rating depression scale (SDS) scores in the research group were lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05). There was no statistical significance in the difference of the modes of delivery between the two groups (χ 2 = 1.763, P > 0.05). Patients in the research group had a lower incidence of perinatal complications than those in the control group (χ 2 = 5.689, P < 0.05). And the satisfaction rate of care in the research group (93.33% vs 70%) was higher than that in the control group (χ 2 = 4.238, P < 0.05). Conclusion Cluster-based care can reduce patients' negative mood, increase their satisfaction, and improve the maternal and infant outcomes. This type of care offers better quality care measures for patients with pregnancy hypertension and osteoarthritis, and has a wide clinical application prospect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lili Ye
- Department of Spine Surgery, Chengyang District People's Hospital of Qingdao City, Qingdao 266109, China
| | - Chunhua Yu
- Department of Gynecology, Chengyang District People's Hospital of Qingdao City, Qingdao 266109, China
| | - Xiaoqin Chen
- Department of Spine Surgery, Chengyang District People's Hospital of Qingdao City, Qingdao 266109, China
| | - Yanyan Han
- Department of Obstetrics, Chengyang District People's Hospital of Qingdao City, Qingdao 266109, China
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Shen L. Effects of Pelvic Floor Muscle Massage on the Pregnancy Outcome of Frozen Embryo Transfer in Patients with Thin Endometrium. COMPUTATIONAL AND MATHEMATICAL METHODS IN MEDICINE 2022; 2022:2803363. [PMID: 35813410 PMCID: PMC9259337 DOI: 10.1155/2022/2803363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Revised: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Objective To observe the effects of pelvic floor muscle mass on the priority outcome of frozen embryo transfer in patients with thin endometrium. Methods The patients who were prepared for freeze-thaw embryo transfer were randomly divided into the study group and control group. Both groups of patients began to take estradiol valerate tablets 3 mg on the third day of menstrual cycle and added progesterone for luteal support after 14 days. Both groups selected high-quality embryos for embryo transfer on the day of embryo transfer. The basic information, embryo transfer, intimal thickness, intimal type, clinical pregnancy rate, and early abortion rate of the two groups were compared. Results The intimal thickness of patients in the control group and the study group on the second day of menstruation was (0.49 ± 0.03) and (0.45 ± 0.02) and that before progesterone was (1.17 ± 0.03) and (1.20 ± 0.04), respectively (P < 0.05). At the same time, the number of excellent embryos in the study group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference in the number of transplants between the two groups (P > 0.05). The proportion of intimal blood flow of type III + II in the study group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05). The main adverse pregnancy outcomes of the whole group included biochemical pregnancy, early abortion, and ectopic pregnancy. The incidence of biochemical pregnancy in the control group and the study group was 63.3% (38/60) and 40.0% (24/60), respectively. The incidence of biochemical pregnancy in the control group was significantly higher than that in the study group, but there was no significant difference in the incidence of early abortion and ectopic pregnancy between the two groups (P > 0.05). Conclusion Pelvic floor muscle massage can improve endometrial thickness and subendometrial blood flow, so as to improve the pregnancy rate of frozen thawed embryo transfer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Longying Shen
- Kuishan Health Center of Rizhao Economic and Technological Development Zone, China
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Yu X, Zhou Q. Effects of Nifedipine Tablets Combined With Magnesium Sulfate on Blood Coagulation Index, Oxidative Stress, NO and ET-1 Levels in Patients With Pregnancy Hypertension. Front Surg 2022; 9:862676. [PMID: 35419408 PMCID: PMC8999649 DOI: 10.3389/fsurg.2022.862676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective To explore the effects of nifedipine tablets combined with magnesium sulfate on blood coagulation indexes, oxidative stress and levels of NO and ET-1 in patients with Pregnancy-induced hypertension syndrome (PIH). Methods A total of 110 patients with hypertension during pregnancy were admitted to our hospital from January 2020 to January 2021. According to the random number table method, 110 patients were divided into the control group and the therapy group, with 55 cases in each group. The blood pressure levels (systolic and diastolic blood pressure), coagulation indexes (TT, PT, APTT, Fib), oxidative stress indexes (LPO, MDA, SOD), vascular endothelial function (ET-1, NO), clinical efficacy and adverse reactions of the two groups were compared. Results After therapy, the systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure of the two groups were significantly decreased, and the therapy group was significantly lower than the control group (P < 0.05). After therapy, PT, TT, and APTT in two groups were significantly increased, and Fib was significantly decreased, and PT, TT, APTT in the therapy group were higher than those in the control group, and Fib was lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05). After therapy, LPO and MDA in two groups were significantly decreased, and SOD was significantly increased, and LPO and MDA in the therapy group were lower than those in the control group, and SOD was higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05). After therapy, ET-1 in two groups were significantly increased, and NO and ET-1/NO was significantly decreased, and ET-1 in the therapy group was higher than that in the control group, and NO and ET-1/NO were lower those in the control group (P < 0.05). The total clinical effective rate of patients in the therapy group was 94.5%, and in the control group was 81.8%, the therapy group was significantly better than the control group (P < 0.05). The total incidence of adverse reactions in the therapy group was 7.3%, and in the control group was 21.8%, the therapy group was significantly lower than the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusion Nifedipine tablets combined with magnesium sulfate in the treatment of PIH can improve the blood coagulation function of patients, reduce oxidative stress damage, adjust the serum levels of ET-1 and NO, and improve the clinical efficacy.
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Melatonin ameliorates hypertension in hypertensive pregnant mice and suppresses the hypertension-induced decrease in Ca 2+-activated K + channels in uterine arteries. Hypertens Res 2021; 44:1079-1086. [PMID: 34103696 DOI: 10.1038/s41440-021-00675-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Decreased secretion of melatonin was reported to be associated with an enhanced risk of hypertension and diabetes. However, the effect of melatonin on gestational hypertension (GH) and the underlying mechanism remain unclear. A GH mouse model was established via electrical stimulation. The hypertensive phenotypes were indicated by systolic blood pressure (SBP) and urinary protein levels. Uterine artery (UtA) endothelial function was detected by relaxation, peak systolic velocity (PSV), end-diastolic velocity (EDV), resistance index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI). Protein expression levels were determined using immunochemistry and Western blots. Pregnancy outcomes were indicated by the fetal live ratio, fetal weight and placental weight. Melatonin supplementation ameliorated hypertensive phenotypes in the mice with GH and enhanced UtA endothelial response to acetylcholine. The BKCa potassium channel was involved in the effect of melatonin on UtA endothelial function, and melatonin promoted BKCa potassium channel expression and function in UtAs. Finally, melatonin improved pregnancy outcomes in pregnant mice. In conclusion, melatonin ameliorates hypertension in hypertensive pregnant mice and suppresses hypertension-induced decreases in Ca2+-activated K+ channels in uterine arteries.
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Clinical Importance of the Human Umbilical Artery Potassium Channels. Cells 2020; 9:cells9091956. [PMID: 32854241 PMCID: PMC7565333 DOI: 10.3390/cells9091956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Revised: 08/21/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Potassium (K+) channels are usually predominant in the membranes of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs). These channels play an important role in regulating the membrane potential and vessel contractility-a role that depends on the vascular bed. Thus, the activity of K+ channels represents one of the main mechanisms regulating the vascular tone in physiological and pathophysiological conditions. Briefly, the activation of K+ channels in SMC leads to hyperpolarization and vasorelaxation, while its inhibition induces depolarization and consequent vascular contraction. Currently, there are four different types of K+ channels described in SMCs: voltage-dependent K+ (KV) channels, calcium-activated K+ (KCa) channels, inward rectifier K+ (Kir) channels, and 2-pore domain K+ (K2P) channels. Due to the fundamental role of K+ channels in excitable cells, these channels are promising therapeutic targets in clinical practice. Therefore, this review discusses the basic properties of the various types of K+ channels, including structure, cellular mechanisms that regulate their activity, and new advances in the development of activators and blockers of these channels. The vascular functions of these channels will be discussed with a focus on vascular SMCs of the human umbilical artery. Then, the clinical importance of K+ channels in the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular diseases during pregnancy, such as gestational hypertension and preeclampsia, will be explored.
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