Background/aims: Soluble Fms-like tyrosine kinase-1(sFlt-1) and placental growth factor (PIGF) have been used clinically to predict preeclampsia (PE). This study investigated these factors in a rat model of preeclampsia induced by ultra-low-dose endotoxin.
Methods: The experimental PE rat model was generated on gestational day 14. Rats were anesthetized and divided into a normal pregnancy group (NP, n=7) (which received a normal saline infusion) and a PE model group (n=9) (which received an infusion of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) endotoxin (1.0μg/kg body weight). Infusions were given through the tail vein for 1 hour. Blood pressure was monitored and albuminuria, serum ALT, AST, creatinine and BUN were measured. As well, concentrations of sFlt-1 and PIGF in serum and amniotic fluid were measured by enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA).
Results: Arterial pressure was increased (135±7 versus 116±3mmHg; P<0.03) in the PE model rats compared with the NP rats. The concentration of sFlt-1 in the PE model group (162.7±73.9pg/ml) was significantly higher than NP group (123±64pg/ml) (P<0.05). The serum level of PIGF in PE model group (9.7±6.2pg/ml) was significantly lower compared to the NP group (23.4±12.4) (P<0.05). The plasma sFlt-1/PIGF ratio in the PE model group (18.3±5.6) was greater than that in the NP group (6.7±2.1) (P<0.05). Similar changes were also present in the amniotic fluid.
Conclusion: sFlt-1 and PIGF levels in this rat PE model induced by ultra-low-dose endontoxin showed changes consistent with findings in preeclamptic patients, indicating that this animal model mimics human preeclampsia well in these aspects of the disorder.
Copyright © 2013. Published by Elsevier B.V.