Evaluation of the Effects of Nebivolol on Endothelial Cells under Stimulation by Pre-Eclamptic Placental Factors

• Grant number: 25/26330-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: December 01, 2025
• End date: November 30, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Maternal and Child Health
• Principal Investigator: Valeria Cristina Sandrim
• Grantee: Mariane Fernanda Pagagnotti
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IBB). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Botucatu , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 25/13875-2 - Endothelial dysfunction in preeclampsia: use of the explant model as an alternative for drug studies, AP.R

Abstract

1.289 / 5.000Preeclampsia (PE) is a hypertensive syndrome of pregnancy, characterized by blood pressure ¿140/90 mmHg, frequently accompanied by proteinuria and target organ dysfunction.1 It affects 2-8% of pregnancies worldwide and represents a significant cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality.1 The pathophysiology involves two stages: failure of remodeling of the uterine spiral arteries, leading to placental hypoperfusion, followed by the release of antiangiogenic factors into the maternal circulation, resulting in endothelial dysfunction and vascular compromise.2,3 Angiogenic imbalance directly impacts the bioavailability of nitric oxide (NO), a key mediator of endothelial function.4 Despite advances, treatment remains centered on antihypertensive drugs.1 Nebivolol, a ¿1-adrenergic antagonist with vasodilatory action, modulates endothelial function via NO5 release. In this context, the present project proposes to investigate the effects of nebivolol on NO production, viability, and cytotoxicity in endothelial cells incubated with placental explant supernatants from women with preeclampsia (PE), aiming to mimic the two stages of the disease. The objective is to evaluate the therapeutic potential of nebivolol in a dysfunctional endothelial microenvironment. (AU)