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Preeclampsia in the rat: validation of the deoxycorticosterone (DOCA)‐salt model
Author(s) -
Hanson Andrea E,
Stallone John N
Publication year - 2016
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.30.1_supplement.1212.10
Subject(s) - pregnancy , fetus , medicine , preeclampsia , proteinuria , endocrinology , renal function , blood pressure , excretion , intrauterine growth restriction , saline , kidney , biology , genetics
Preeclampsia (PE) is a multi‐system disorder that typically occurs during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. PE complicates 7–10% of all pregnancies worldwide and is a major cause of fetal and maternal morbidity and mortality. The hallmarks of PE include pregnancy induced‐hypertension (PIH), proteinuria, reduction in renal function, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) of the fetus, chronic immune activation, and multi‐organ dysfunction. The pathology of PE is not well understood. In the present study, DOCA‐salt treatment was validated as a model of PE in the female (F) Sprague‐Dawley rat. Normal pregnant (NP) and DOCA‐salt treated pregnant (DSP) F rats were studied, using time release DOCA‐impregnated silicone rubber implants (200 mg/kg) and saline drinking water (1% NaCl/0.2% KCl) from the onset of pregnancy until term. At term (day 18–20 of pregnancy), systolic blood pressure (tail cuff method) was elevated in DSP (146 ± 2 mmHg) vs. NP (115 ± 1 mmHg). In DSP, total urinary protein excretion was measurably higher in DSP (29.67 ± 11 mg/day) compared to NP (14.25 ± 10 mg/day). In addition, fetal weight was lower in DSP (2.52 ± 0.09 g) than in NP (4.05 ± 0.34 g), and maternal body weight was higher in NP (388 ± 5 g) compared to DSP (355 ± 25 g). These data suggest that DOCA‐salt treatment creates an accurate model of PIH and PE in the F rat. Support or Funding Information (State of Texas)