Effects of Digoxin‐binding Fab in a Rat Model of Preeclampsia

Objective To investigate the effects of Digibind® (D, digoxin immune Fab, bovine) in the treatment of preeclampsia (PE) in a rat model. D inhibits the cardenolides and may have cross‐reactivity with the bufodienolides. Methods We induced PE in rats by administering DOCA and replacing their drinking water with 0.9% saline. D (10mg/kg) was given intraperitoneally on days 10‐21 of pregnancy (PDS‐D rats, n= 9). These were compared to PDS rats that received no D. (PDS, n=8) and normal pregnant rats (NP, n=10). Results The mean initial blood pressure (BP) was 111 ± 2, 101 ± 3, 104 ± 2 mmHg respectively for PDS‐D, PDS, NP. There was no statistical difference between PDS and NP initial BP. The final BP was 102 ± 1, 154 ± 3, 93 ± 4 mmHg respectively for PDS‐D, PDS, NP, (p < 0.001 PDS vs. NP and PDS vs. PDS‐D). The mean 24 hour protein excretion on day 21 was 2.4 ± 0.8, 5.4 ± 1.0, 2.3 ± 1.2 mg/24 hours, respectively for PDS‐D, PDS, NP, (p< 0.001 PDS‐D vs. PDS). The mean number of pups/litter was 12.8 ± 2.8, 11.5 ± 1.2, 14.9 ± 1.9 respectively for PDS‐D, PDS, NP (p < 0.05 PDS‐D vs. NP). Also, about 30% of the PDS‐D pups showed developmental retardation, compared to the NP indicating intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). Conclusions D produced significant lowering of the blood pressure and proteinuria in a rat model of PE. However, teratogenic effects and IUGR were also observed in the PDS‐D group. Scott, Sherwood/Brindley Foundation