Abstract 150: Obese Hypertensive Pregnant Rats Have Reduced Placental Growth Factor Whereas Increasing It's Levels Decreases Their Blood Pressure

• Published in: Hypertension (Dallas, Tex. 1979) Tex. 1979), 2019-09, Vol.74 (Suppl_1)
• Main Authors: Spradley, Frank T, Palei, Ana C, Joo, Woo S, Kussie, Paul, Tan, Adelene Y
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0194-911X; 1524-4563
• DOI: 10.1161/hyp.74.suppl_1.150

Abstract only While epidemiological studies have repeatedly shown that overweight and obesity are associated with hypertension during pregnancy, the mechanisms linking these co-morbidities are not as explored. Reports show reduced levels of the anti-hypertensive and pregnancy-related factor, placental growth factor (PlGF), in obese hypertensive pregnant humans. We tested the hypothesis that obese hypertensive pregnant rats have reduced PlGF whereas increasing its levels reduces their blood pressure. We utilized a genetic model of obesity in rats having heterozygous deficiency of the melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R-def) compared to wild-type lean controls. By gestational day 19, body mass (341±8 vs 311±7 g), periaortic adipose tissue (10.9±1.1 vs 8.2±0.5 mg), retroperitoneal adipose tissue (4.4±0.4 vs 2.5±0.2 g), circulating levels of leptin (10±1 vs 6±1 ng/mL), and mean arterial blood pressure (116±2 vs 105±2 mmHg) were greater (all P