Preeclampsia disturbs mineral status in rats.

Changes in mineral status in preeclampsia may be related to inflammation and hypoxia.

Calcium plays a role in regulating blood pressure in rats treated with L-NAME.

This study aimed to assess the influence of preeclampsia on mineral homeostasis in a rat model of preeclampsia. Twelve-week-old female pregnant Sprague Dawley rats were divided into two groups: healthy rats (CH, n = 6) and preeclamptic rats (CP, n = 6). The rat model of preeclampsia was induced by NG-nitro-Larginine-methyl-ester (L-NAME). Blood pressure (systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP)) was measured at 18 gestational days (GD) using a non-invasive blood pressure system CODA (Kent Scientific). At 19 GD final body mass was measured then rats were euthanised by decapitation and tissues and blood samples were collected. Body mass, relative tissue mass (% of body mass), fetus, and placenta mass were measured. Morphological and biochemical parameters were assayed in blood in the certified diagnostic laboratory. Calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg, iron (Fe), zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) content in tissues were determined using flame atomic spectrometry (ZA 3000 Hitachi) after mineralization in a Microwave Digestion system (Mars 2™ System). Statistical analysis was performed using GraphPad Prism. The systolic blood pressure was significantly higher in preeclamptic rats compared to the healthy group. The relative mass of the liver was markedly lower in the CP group than in the CH group. The ratio between platelets and lymphocytes, and neutrophils and lymphocytes were significantly higher in preeclamptic rats than in the control group. L-NAME treatment significantly increased Ca concentration in placenta and kidney and markedly decreased content of Cain liver. Mg content in kidney was significant higher and Cu concentration in fetus was significantly lower in CP than in CH group. The significant positive correlations were found between SBP and Ca content in placenta and kidney (respectively). The reverse correlations between Ca concentration in liver and SBP and between Cu content in fetus and SBP was observed. Correlations were found between the content of elements in tissues and morphological parameters reflecting inflammation and hypoxia. In conclusion, preeclampsia may disturb minerals content in maternal and fetal tissues in rats. Changes in mineral status in preeclampsia may be related to inflammation and hypoxia. It seems that Ca may play a role in regulating systolic blood pressure in preeclamptic rats.

Minerals

Preeclampsia

Rats

The data that support the findings of this study are available in the Open Data Repository RepOD at https://doi.org/10.18150/CTDZYV.

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