Trophoblasts and soluble adhesion molecules in peripheral blood of women with pregnancy-induced hypertension

MiR-140-5p exerts a protective function in pregnancy-induced hypertension via mediating TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway

Animal experiments showed that PIH rats had increased mean arterial pressure (MAP), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), but decreased litter size, number of viable fetuses, fetal weight, and placental weight. The higher Flt-1 and lower VEGF was observed in PIH rats with elevated TNF-α and IL-6 levels and decreased IL-10 levels. Treatment with agomiR-140-5p improved regarding the above indicators. Cell experiments demonstrated that miR-140-5p mimic increased cell invasion and migration abilities and decreased the activity of TGF-β/Smad pathway, while TGFBR1 can reverse the role of miR-140-5p mimic in trophoblasts.

Pregnancy-induced hypertension is accompanied by decreased number of circulating endothelial cells and circulating endothelial progenitor cells

Maternal endothelial dysfunction is one of the main features of pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH). It is generally accepted that circulating endothelial cells (CECs) and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) reflect the state of the endothelium, its injury and/or repair possibilities. The objective of this study was to determine whether the CECs and EPCs numbers in the circulation of women with PIH reflect the presence of this pathology. Peripheral blood cells of PIH and normotensive pregnant women were labeled with specific monoclonal antibodies. For CECs evaluation, samples were labeled with anti-CD31 and anti-CD45 antibodies; for EPCs with anti-VEGFR2/KDR and anti-CD34 antibodies. Cells were quantified by flow cytometry. The levels of both CECs (CD31⁺, CD45⁻) and EPCs (CD34⁺, VEGFR2/KDR⁺) in the peripheral blood of women with PIH were significantly lower compared with those of control pregnant women with normal blood pressure level. Lowered accessibility of maternal CECs and EPCs may diminish general regenerative potential of the patient endothelia, contributing to PIH symptoms and to the risk of subsequent coronary and arterial disease.

The relationship between neck circumference and pregnancy-induced hypertension in the third trimester pregnant women

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between neck circumference (NC) and pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) in the third trimester pregnant women.

METHODS

The study included 126 women who were in the third trimester pregnancy. All subjects completed a standard sleep questionnaire, anthropometric measurements and ultrasonic testing.

RESULTS

Pregnant women with NC ≥34.7 cm had significantly higher frequency of PIH than pregnant women with NC <34.7 cm (35.6% versus 2.5%, χ(2 )= 25.863, p = 0.000).

CONCLUSIONS

The increase of NC was independent risk factor for PIH in the third trimester pregnant women.