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Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Improves Renal and Endothelial Function, and Normalizes Blood Pressure in Hypertensive Pregnant Rats.
Author(s) -
Verzwyvelt Joseph D,
Gilbert Jeffrey S,
Colson Drew,
Arany Marietta,
Ryan Michael J,
Granger Joey P
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.23.1_supplement.969.9
Subject(s) - medicine , endocrinology , blood pressure , vascular endothelial growth factor , electrical impedance myography , ischemia , renal function , preeclampsia , endothelial dysfunction , vasodilation , placental growth factor , renal ischemia , pregnancy , vegf receptors , reperfusion injury , biology , genetics
We have recently shown that chronic VEGF administration during the last trimester of pregnancy partially decreases the hypertension associated with placental ischemia. While we have shown that placental ischemia results in endothelial dysfunction, whether VEGF can restore endothelial cell function remains unknown. We hypothesized that restoration of VEGF levels to that seen in normal pregnant rats would further attenuate the hypertension, normalize glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and reverse the endothelial dysfunction associated with placental ischemia. VEGF (180ug/kg/day) was administered for five days via osmotic mini‐pump placed intraperitoneal. Arterial pressure (AP) and tissues were obtained on day 19 of pregnancy from RUPP+VEGF, RUPP and normal pregnant (NP) dams. Endothelial function was assessed by acetylcholine (ACh) induced relaxation of U‐46619 preconstricted carotid artery rings via wire myography. AP (mm Hg) was increased in the RUPP (131±3) compared to the NP (102±1) and infusion of VEGF resolved the hypertension (105±5). GFR (ml/min), decreased in the RUPP dams (1.5±0.3) returned to NP levels (3.1±0.5) by VEGF treatment (3.1±0.4). Relaxation to ACh was inhibited in the RUPP dams compared to the NP but was enhanced by the VEGF treatment (P<0.05). These data demonstrate that VEGF restores GFR and endothelial function, and reduces high blood pressure associated with placental ischemia.