부산대학교 도서관

Preeclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy induced hypertensive disorder and an important cause of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. It affects about 3 - 8% of all pregnancies worldwide. Placental factors that arise from placental hypoxia/ischemia set off molecular and cellular cascades, resulting in vascular endothelial dysfunction. The aim of study was to clarify the possible protective effect of Artemisinin (ART) on the placenta of L-NAME induced rat model of PE and to explore possible involved mechanisms. Thirty pregnant female Sparge Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups (10 rats/each): The control group, PE-group, and ART treated group. L-Nitro arginine methyl ester (L-NAME; 75 mg/kg body weight/day) was injected subcutaneous from day 10 to day 19 of gestation to induce hypertension during pregnancy. The mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) and 24-hour protein in urine were determined before scarification. Rats were sacrificed on day 20 of gestation, Placental tissues homogenate was prepared for evaluation of oxidative stress markers. Additionally, Slices from placenta were studied by light and electron microscopes. The MABP, 24-hour protein in urine and oxidative stress markers in the PE-group were significantly higher when compared to control group. ART treated group had a non-significant decrease in MABP although had a significant decrease in proteinuria and oxidative markers when compared to PEgroup. The histopathological examination of ART group showed partial improvement in both light and electron microscopic findings as regard placental vascular changes and cellular parameters when compared to PE group. The present study concluded that ART exerted protective effect in preeclampsia model through oxidative stress correction and reduction of proteinuria along with improvement of placental vascular and cellular changes in both light and electron microscopies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]