Correction of morphofunctional disturbances arising when modelling Preeclampsia with resveratrol and nicorandil

Erythropoietin Mimetic Peptide (pHBSP) Corrects Endothelial Dysfunction in a Rat Model of Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a severe disease of late pregnancy. Etiological factors and a pathogenetic pattern of events still require significant clarification, but it is now recognized that a large role is played by placentation disorders and emerging endothelial dysfunction. The administration of short-chain peptides mimicking the spatial structure of the B erythropoietin chain may become one of the directions of searching for new drugs for preeclampsia prevention and therapy. Simulation of ADMA-like preeclampsia in Wistar rats was performed by the administration of a non-selective NOS blocker L-NAME from the 14th to 20th day of pregnancy. The administration of the pHBSP at the doses of 10 µg/kg and 250 µg/kg corrected the established morphofunctional disorders. The greatest effect was observed at a dose of 250 µg/kg. There was a decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressure by 31.2 and 32.8%, respectively (p < 0.0001), a decrease in the coefficient of endothelial dysfunction by 48.6% (p = 0.0006), placental microcirculation increased by 82.8% (p < 0.0001), the NOx concentration was increased by 42,6% (p = 0.0003), the greater omentum edema decreased by 11.7% (p = 0.0005) and proteinuria decreased by 76.1% (p < 0.0002). In addition, there was an improvement in the morphological pattern of the fetoplacental complex and the ratio of BAX to Bcl-2 expression which characterizes the apoptotic orientation of the cells.

Nicorandil: A drug with ongoing benefits and different mechanisms in various diseased conditions

Nicorandil is a well-known antianginal agent, which has been recommended as one of the second-line treatments for chronic stable angina as justified by the European guidelines. It shows an efficacy equivalent to that of classic antianginal agents. Nicorandil has also been applied clinically in various cardiovascular diseases such as variant or unstable angina and reperfusion-induced damage following coronary angioplasty or thrombolysis. Different mechanisms have been involved in the protective effects of nicorandil in various diseases through either opening of adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium (KATP) channel or donation of nitric oxide (NO). The predominance or participation of any of these proposed mechanisms depends on the dose of nicorandil used, the location of diseased conditions, and if this mechanism is still functioning or not. The protection afforded by nicorandil has been shown to be mainly attributed to KATP channel opening in experimental models of myocardial and pulmonary fibrosis as well as renal injury or glomerulonephritis, whereas NO donation predominates as a mechanism of protection in hepatic fibrosis and inflammatory bowel diseases. Therefore, in different diseased conditions, it is important to know which mechanism plays the major role in nicorandil-induced curative or protective effects. This can bring new insights into the proper use of selected medication and its recommended dose for targeting certain disease.

L-NAME-induced Preeclampsia: correction of functional disorders of the hemostasis system with Resveratrol and Nicorandil

Introduction. Preeclampsia is a formidable disease of the second half of pregnancy, leading to severe complications, including disability and even death. Many authors have recognized the correlation between the severity of preeclampsia and the degree of disturbances in the hemostasis system. In this regard, the objective of this study was to assess inhibition of platelet aggregation and the possibility of its correction with resverаtrol and nicorandil.

Materials and methods. The study was performed on 250 mature white Wistar female rats weighing 250–300 g. The platelet aggregation induced by ADP, collagen, ristomycin, adrenaline was determined, as well as PTT, TT, aPTT, fibrinogen, and the clotting time.

Results and discussion. Introduction of resverаtrol and nicorandil resulted in a decrease in thrombocyte aggregation capacity from 53.8 ± 2.60% to 22.1 ± 1.25% and 37.1 ± 1.79%, respectively, when using ADP as an inducer. The clotting time was from 841 ± 42 s up to 1135 ± 33 s and 1034 ± 26 s, respectively. In addition, there was an increase in temporal parameters of plasma-coagulation hemostasis and a decrease in plasma fibrinogen content. The use of glibenclamide resulted in partial cancellation of the positive effects of resverаtrol and nicorandil, with an increase in platelet aggregation to 28.9 ± 1.8% and 43.9 ± 1.2% when using ADP as an inducer and a decrease in the thrombosis time to 988 ± 26 s and 950 ± 22 s, respectively.

Conclusion. In animals with experimental preeclampsia, there were disturbances in the hemostasis system, comparable to those in the clinical situation. The use of resverаtrol and nicorandil leads to a pronounced correction of hemostasis parameters. The positive effects of the studied pharmacological agents are mediated by several mechanisms, including K+ATP channels.