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Gestational hypertension plasma and human umbilical vein endothelial cells: an in vitro study
Author(s) -
N. Cester,
Eleonora Salvolini,
Rosa Anna Rabini,
Andrea Luigi Tranquilli,
Giovanna Zolese,
Laura Mazzanti
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
european journal of clinical investigation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.164
H-Index - 107
eISSN - 1365-2362
pISSN - 0014-2972
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2362.1998.00398.x
Subject(s) - umbilical vein , endocrinology , medicine , nitric oxide , in vitro , vasodilation , intracellular , calcium , incubation , gestation , endothelium , endothelial dysfunction , gestational age , fetus , chemistry , biology , pregnancy , biochemistry , genetics
Background The action of plasma from women affected by gestational hypertension (GH) on nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) was evaluated in the present study, together with the effect on cytosolic calcium, on Na + , K + ‐ATPase activity and on membrane fluidity. Methods At 80% confluence, cultured HUVECs were incubated for 3 h at 37°C with fresh culture medium (control samples) or with 20% (v/v) plasma (from five healthy non‐pregnant women, five healthy pregnant women and five pregnant women affected by GH). Results After incubation with GH plasma, we observed a significant reduction in NOS activity, intracellular calcium concentrations and Na + , K + ‐ATPase activity. Conclusions The present work gives further support to the hypothesis that a circulating factor in gestational hypertension, possibly produced by the fetoplacental unit, causes dysfunction of the vascular endothelial cells and NO reduction, resulting in a loss of vascular refractoriness to vasoactive agents.