17-Hydroxyprogesterone blunts the hypertensive response associated with reductions in uterine perfusion pressure in pregnant rats.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

Reduction in uteroplacental perfusion (RUPP) in pregnant rats is associated with hypertension, elevated cytokines, and activation of the endothelin (ET-1) system. Our objective was to determine whether the antiinflammatory properties of 17-alpha-hydroxyprogesterone caproate (17 OHP) reduce cytokine-stimulated vasoactive pathways that are associated with hypertension in response to placental ischemia.

STUDY DESIGN:

Mean arterial pressure (MAP), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin (IL)-6, and renal ET-1 were measured in the following: pregnant controls, pregnant controls plus 17 OHP (6.6 mg/kg), RUPP rats, and RUPP rats plus 17 OHP.

RESULTS:

MAP increased 29 mm Hg in RUPP rats compared with pregnant controls (P < .001), whereas in RUPP plus 17 OHP rats, MAP increased only 19 mm Hg (P < .05). TNF-alpha and IL-6 increased 2- to 3-fold, respectively, in response to placental ischemia but was normalized in RUPP rats treated with 17 OHP. ET-1 increased 3-fold in RUPP rats but was markedly less in RUPP plus 17 OHP rats.

CONCLUSION:

17 OHP blunts hypertension associated with RUPP, possibly via suppression of cytokine-stimulated ET-1 activation.

• Authors: Edward W Veillon Jr, Sharon D Keiser, Marc R Parrish, William Bennett, Kathy Cockrell, Lillian F Ray, Joey P Granger, James N Martin Jr, Babbette LaMarca
• Journal: American journal of obstetrics and gynecology (Am J Obstet Gynecol) Vol. 201 Issue 3 Pg. 324.e1-6 (Sep 2009) ISSN: 1097-6868 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 19733289 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Endothelin-1
• Hydroxyprogesterones
• Progesterone Congeners
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
• 17 alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone Caproate
• 17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone

Topics

• 17 alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone Caproate
• 17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone (pharmacology)
• Animals
• Endothelin-1 (physiology)
• Female
• Hydroxyprogesterones (pharmacology)
• Ischemia (drug therapy, physiopathology)
• Placenta (blood supply)
• Placental Circulation (drug effects, physiology)
• Pregnancy
• Progesterone Congeners (pharmacology)
• Rats
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (blood)