17-Hydroxyprogesterone caproate improves hypertension and renal endothelin-1 in response to sFlt-1 induced hypertension in pregnant rats

Gestational intermittent hypoxia induces endothelial dysfunction and hypertension in pregnant rats: role of endothelin type B receptor†

Obstructive sleep apnea is a recognized risk factor for gestational hypertension, yet the exact mechanism behind this association remains unclear. Here, we tested the hypothesis that intermittent hypoxia, a hallmark of obstructive sleep apnea, induces gestational hypertension through perturbed endothelin-1 signaling. Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to normoxia (control), mild intermittent hypoxia (10.5% O2), or severe intermittent hypoxia (6.5% O2) from gestational days 10-21. Blood pressure was monitored. Plasma was collected and mesenteric arteries were isolated for myograph and protein analyses. The mild and severe intermittent hypoxia groups demonstrated elevated blood pressure, reduced plasma nitrate/nitrite, and unchanged endothelin-1 levels compared to the control group. Western blot analysis revealed decreased expression of endothelin type B receptor and phosphorylated endothelial nitric oxide synthase, while the levels of endothelin type A receptor and total endothelial nitric oxide synthase remained unchanged following intermittent hypoxia exposure. The contractile responses to potassium chloride, phenylephrine, and endothelin-1 were unaffected in endothelium-denuded arteries from mild and severe intermittent hypoxia rats. However, mild and severe intermittent hypoxia rats exhibited impaired endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation responses to endothelin type B receptor agonist IRL-1620 and acetylcholine compared to controls. Endothelium denudation abolished IRL-1620-induced vasorelaxation, supporting the involvement of endothelium in endothelin type B receptor-mediated relaxation. Treatment with IRL-1620 during intermittent hypoxia exposure significantly attenuated intermittent hypoxia-induced hypertension in pregnant rats. This was associated with elevated circulating nitrate/nitrite levels, enhanced endothelin type B receptor expression, increased endothelial nitric oxide synthase activation, and improved vasodilation responses. Our data suggested that intermittent hypoxia exposure during gestation increases blood pressure in pregnant rats by suppressing endothelin type B receptor-mediated signaling, providing a molecular mechanism linking intermittent hypoxia and gestational hypertension.

Transcriptomic (DNA Microarray) and Metabolome (LC-TOF-MS) Analyses of the Liver in High-Fat Diet Mice after Intranasal Administration of GALP (Galanin-like Peptide)

The aim of this research was to test the efficacy and potential clinical application of intranasal administration of galanin-like peptide (GALP) as an anti-obesity treatment under the hypothesis that GALP prevents obesity in mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD). Focusing on the mechanism of regulation of lipid metabolism in peripheral tissues via the autonomic nervous system, we confirmed that, compared with a control (saline), intranasally administered GALP prevented further body weight gain in diet-induced obesity (DIO) mice with continued access to an HFD. Using an omics-based approach, we identified several genes and metabolites in the liver tissue of DIO mice that were altered by the administration of intranasal GALP. We used whole-genome DNA microarray and metabolomics analyses to determine the anti-obesity effects of intranasal GALP in DIO mice fed an HFD. Transcriptomic profiling revealed the upregulation of flavin-containing dimethylaniline monooxygenase 3 (Fmo3), metallothionein 1 and 2 (Mt1 and Mt2, respectively), and the Aldh1a3, Defa3, and Defa20 genes. Analysis using the DAVID tool showed that intranasal GALP enhanced gene expression related to fatty acid elongation and unsaturated fatty acid synthesis and downregulated gene expression related to lipid and cholesterol synthesis, fat absorption, bile uptake, and excretion. Metabolite analysis revealed increased levels of coenzyme Q10 and oleoylethanolamide in the liver tissue, increased levels of deoxycholic acid (DCA) and taurocholic acid (TCA) in the bile acids, increased levels of taurochenodeoxycholic acid (TCDCA), and decreased levels of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA). In conclusion, intranasal GALP administration alleviated weight gain in obese mice fed an HFD via mechanisms involving antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and fatty acid metabolism effects and genetic alterations. The gene expression data are publicly available at NCBI GSE243376.

The role of immune cells and mediators in preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a hypertensive disorder of major concern in pregnancy than can lead to intrauterine growth restriction, placental abruption and stillbirth. The pathophysiology of preeclampsia is multifactorial, including not only kidney dysfunction but also endothelial dysfunction, as the maternal endothelium becomes exposed to placental factors that are released into the circulation and increase systemic levels of vasoconstrictors, oxidative stress, anti-angiogenic factors and inflammatory mediators. Importantly, inflammation can lead to insufficient placental perfusion and low birthweight in offspring. Various innate and adaptive immune cells and mediators have been implicated in the development of preeclampsia, in which oxidative stress is associated with activation of the maternal inflammatory response. Immune cells such as regulatory T cells, macrophages, natural killer cells, and neutrophils are known to have major causative roles in the pathology of preeclampsia, but the contributions of additional immune cells such as B cells, inflammatory cytokines and anti-angiotensin II type 1 receptor autoantibodies are also now recognized. Immunological interventions, therefore, have therapeutic potential in this disease. Here, we provide an overview of the immune responses that are involved in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia, including the role of innate and adaptive immune cells and mediators.

Male HELLP pups experience sensorimotor delays and reduced body weight

Offspring of Preeclampsia (PreE) and HELLP Syndrome are at an increased risk of developing neurodevelopmental disorders. In the current study we sought to determine if offspring from experimental models of PreE and HELLP had evidence of early onset neurodevelopmental delay. Offspring from PreE, HELLP and normal pregnant dams were assessed in a battery of sensorimotor tests beginning on postnatal day (PND) 3. Male HELLP offspring showed altered behavior in the surface righting reflex on PND 3 and cliff avoidance task from PND 3-6 relative to other groups. Results suggest that there are sex differences in offspring born to dams with PreE and HELLP.

Combined Oral Contraceptive Pill-Induced Hypertension and Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy: Shared Mechanisms and Clinical Similarities

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Oral contraceptive pill-induced hypertension (OCPIH) and hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (HDP) share common risk factors and pathophysiological mechanisms, yet the bidirectional relationship between these two conditions is not well-established. We review and describe OCPIH and HDP to better understand how hormonal and metabolic imbalances affect hypertension.

RECENT FINDINGS

Oral contraceptive pills continue to be a popular method of contraception, with an incidence of OCPIH ranging from 1-8.5% among OCP users. HDP have an incidence of 5-10% of all pregnancies in the USA and have been shown to be a powerful predictor of lifetime adverse cardiovascular outcomes, including future hypertension. OCPIH and HDP share common risk factors such as age, BMI, past personal and family history of hypertension, as well as pathogenic mechanisms, including alterations in hormonal metabolism and the renin angiotensin aldosterone system; imbalance of vasodilator-vasoconstrictor compounds; and changes in the cardiovascular system. Future research should address additional potential mechanisms that underlie hypertension in these two conditions where endocrine changes, either physiological (pregnancy) or iatrogenic (use of OCP), play a role. This may lead to novel, targeted treatment options to improve hypertension management and overall cardiovascular risk profile management in this subset of young female patients.