Possible beneficial effects of GYY4137 (a hydrogen sulfide (H2S) donor) on gestational hypertension in rats

• Grant number: 16/24823-4
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): April 01, 2017
• Effective date (End): March 31, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Medical Clinics
• Principal researcher: Carlos Alan Candido Dias Junior
• Grantee: Maria Luiza Santos da Silva
• Home Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IBB). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Botucatu , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Under gestation period, several cardiovascular adaptations must occur to maintain a healthy pregnancy. Preeclampsia (PE) is a disorder that occurs during pregnancy that is characterized by elevated maternal blood pressure (140x90mmHg) accompanied by proteinuria in 24-hour urine after the 20th week of pregnancy. Its pathogenesis is still unclear; however, the placenta seems to play a key role. PE leads to increased oxidative stress, increased anti-angiogenic factors and decreased vasodilators factors. Recent reports have revealed hydrogen sulfide (H2S) as an important substance in the control of many physiological functions, with great participation on the cardiovascular system, including the maintenance of a healthy pregnancy. The experimental model of hypertension in pregnancy and PE, Reduced Uterine Perfusion Pressure (RUPP) has been quite promising for simulating many of the responses found in human PE. The present project has the objective to evaluate the antihypertensive effects of GYY4137 (a H2S donor) in the experimental model of hypertension in pregnancy induced by RUPP. Also, we will evaluate the antiangiogenic factor soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt-1) and the angiogenic factor Placental Growth Factor (PlGF), and the biomarker of oxidative stress (8-isoprostane) in this model. These studies seek to evaluate the importance of H2S in the control of hypertension in pregnancy, as well as assist in developing appropriate therapies for cardiovascular diseases resulting from these conditions. (AU)