The preeclampsia condition alters external potassium-evoked contraction of human umbilical vessels

Pereira-de-Morais, Luís; Silva, Andressa de Alencar; Bastos, Carla Mikevely de Sena; Calixto, Gabriela Lucena; Araújo, Isaac Moura; Araújo, Marília Cavalcante; Barbosa, Roseli; Leal-Cardoso, José Henrique

doi:10.1016/j.placenta.2023.05.005

Cited by 5 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…In this study, we resort to three vasoactive substances to assess the vascular reactivity, and although some authors consider SER to be the most potent vasoconstrictor in HUA [ 15 , 16 , 36 ], our results demonstrated that the tensions produced by SER and KCl were similar but different from the lower one induced by HIS, for both the normotensive and hypertensive groups. These results are in accordance with previous studies regarding the HUA from normotensive pregnant women [ 17 , 36 , 37 ]; however, to our knowledge, only few studies made a comparison between the HUA of normotensive and hypertensive [ 38 ] or preeclamptic pregnant women [ 36 ]. In the first case, an analogue of thromboxane A2 was used as the contractile agent, making it difficult to compare with our results [ 38 ], and in the second study, increased K + concentrations were investigated in HUA reactivity.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 77%

“…KCl causes vascular contraction by membrane depolarization, and Ca 2+ influx through voltage-gated channels [ 15 , 17 , 36 ]. For the KCl-contracted HUA, our results showed no significant effect upon incubation with DEP, in both normotensive and hypertensive groups.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The HUA is not innervated; therefore, it depends on the local release of vasoactive substances, including serotonin, histamine, and ions such as calcium and potassium [15,19]. In this study, we resort to three vasoactive substances to assess the vascular reactivity, and although some authors consider SER to be the most potent vasoconstrictor in HUA [15,16,36], our results demonstrated that the tensions produced by SER and KCl were similar but different from the lower one induced by HIS, for both the normotensive and hypertensive groups. These results are in accordance with previous studies regarding the HUA from normotensive pregnant women [17,36,37]; however, to our knowledge, only few studies made a comparison between the HUA of normotensive and hypertensive [38] or preeclamptic pregnant women [36].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Exposure to DEP Modifies the Human Umbilical Artery Vascular Resistance Contributing to Hypertension in Pregnancy

Mariana,

Soares,

Castelo-Branco

et al. 2024

JoX

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Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (HDP) are the most prevalent diseases during pregnancy. In addition to the already identified risk factors, exposure to environmental contaminants has been also considered a new one. Phthalates, which are classified as priority environmental pollutants due to their ubiquitousness and endocrine disrupting properties, have been implicated in HDP in some epidemiological studies. Nevertheless, phthalates’ vascular impacts still need to be clarified. Thus, we aimed to understand the connection between phthalates exposure and the occurrence of gestational hypertension, as well as the pathway involved in the pathological vascular effects. We investigated diethyl phthalate’s (DEP) effect on the vascular reactivity of the human umbilical arteries (HUAs) from normotensive and hypertensive pregnant women. Both DEP’s nongenomic (within minutes effect) and genomic (24 h exposure to DEP) actions were evaluated, as well as the contribution of cyclic guanosine monophosphate and Ca2+ channel pathways. The results show that short-term exposure to DEP interferes with serotonin and histamine receptors, while after prolonged exposure, DEP seems to share the same vasorelaxant mechanism as estrogens, through the NO/sGC/cGMP/PKG signaling pathway, and to interfere with the L-type Ca2+ channels. Thus, the vascular effect induced by DEP is similar to that observed in HUA from hypertensive pregnancies, demonstrating that the development of HDP may be a consequence of DEP exposure.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 77%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Exposure to DEP Modifies the Human Umbilical Artery Vascular Resistance Contributing to Hypertension in Pregnancy

Mariana,

Soares,

Castelo-Branco

et al. 2024

JoX

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“…Previous studies have also reported the expression of cytochrome P450 17A1 (CYP17A1) in trophoblast cells from the human placenta, an enzyme also involved in the biosynthesis of androgens de novo [ 21 ]. Moreover, recently, Pereira-de-Morais showed that the umbilical cord vessels, umbilical arteries, and veins of women with pre-eclampsia had different vasoactive responses compared with those of women without alterations [ 22 ]. Furthermore, these responses were like those previously obtained by our research group, who observed the response of the umbilical artery after long-term exposure to DHT [ 23 , 24 , 25 ].…”

Section: Androgen Receptors In the Placenta And Umbilical Cordmentioning

confidence: 99%

Relationship between Androgens and Vascular and Placental Function during Pre-eclampsia

Fernandes,

Lorigo,

Cairrao

2024

CIMB

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Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) represent a substantial risk to maternal and fetal health. Emerging evidence suggests an association between testosterone and pre-eclampsia (PE), potentially mediated through androgen receptors (AR). Nevertheless, the mechanism driving this association is yet to be elucidated. On the other hand, reports of transgender men’s pregnancies offer a limited and insightful opportunity to understand the role of high androgen levels in the development of HDP. In this sense, a literature review was performed from a little over 2 decades (1998–2022) to address the association of testosterone levels with the development of HDP. Furthermore, this review addresses the case of transgender men for the first time. The main in vitro outcomes reveal placenta samples with greater AR mRNA expression. Moreover, ex vivo studies show that testosterone-induced vasorelaxation impairment promotes hypertension. Epidemiological data point to greater testosterone levels in blood samples during PE. Studies with transgender men allow us to infer that exogenous testosterone administration can be considered a risk factor for PE and that the administration of testosterone does not affect fetal development. Overall, all studies analyzed suggested that high testosterone levels are associated with PE.

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“…Therefore, human umbilical artery (HUA) preparations provide a wide range of possibilities for pharmacological investigations of vascular activity, which do not endanger either mother or newborn (Evaristo et al, 2020). Bearing in mind that clinical studies on pregnant women are sporadic and that the interpretation of results from animal models is insufficiently reliable, experiments on HUAs have a special place in pre-eclampsia studies (Altura et al, 1972;Medina Leyte et al, 2020;Pereira-de-Morais et al, 2023).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Methodological challenges in using human umbilical artery as a model for in vitro studies

Gajić Bojić,

Đukanović,

Marinković

et al. 2023

Experimental Physiology

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New Findings What is the central question of this study?What are the biggest challenges in performing in vitro studies on isolated human umbilical arteries? What is the main finding and its importance?The protocols presented in this study indicate some potential outcomes important for interpretation of the vascular responsivities of human umbilical arteries and could be useful for planning future in vitro studies with human umbilical arteries. AbstractHuman umbilical artery (HUA) preparations are of particular importance for in vitro studies on isolated blood vessels because their sampling is not risky for the patient, and they can provide the closest possible impression of changes related to the uteroplacental circulation during pre‐eclampsia. Using organ bath techniques, useful experimental protocols are provided for measuring some pathophysiological phenomena in the vascular responses of HUAs. Several vasoconstrictors (serotonin, prostaglandin F and phenylephrine) and vasodilators (acetylcholine and minoxidil) were seleted for determination of their vasoactivity in HUAs. The role of L‐type voltage‐operated calcium channels and different types of potassium channels (KATP, BKCa and KV) were assessed, as was the impact of homocysteine. Serotonin was confirmed to be the most potent vasoconstrictor, while acetylcholine and phenylephrine caused variability in the relaxation and contraction response of HUA, respectively. The observed increase in serotonin‐induced contraction and a decrease in minoxidil‐induced relaxation in the presence of homocysteine suggested its procontractile effect on HUA preparations. Using selective blockers, it was determined that KATP and KV channels participate in the minoxidil‐induced relaxation, while L‐type voltage‐dependent Ca2+ channels play an important role in the serotonin‐induced contraction. The presented protocols reveal some of the methodological challenges related to HUA preparations and indicate potential outcomes in interpreting the vascular effects of the investigated substances, both in physiological conditions and in the homocysteine‐induced pre‐eclampsia model.

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The preeclampsia condition alters external potassium-evoked contraction of human umbilical vessels

Cited by 5 publications

References 23 publications

Exposure to DEP Modifies the Human Umbilical Artery Vascular Resistance Contributing to Hypertension in Pregnancy

Exposure to DEP Modifies the Human Umbilical Artery Vascular Resistance Contributing to Hypertension in Pregnancy

Relationship between Androgens and Vascular and Placental Function during Pre-eclampsia

Methodological challenges in using human umbilical artery as a model for in vitro studies

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