Attenuation of oxidative stress and hypertension in an animal model of HELLP syndrome

Abstract HELLP (hemolysis elevated liver enzyme low platelet) syndrome is associated with hypertension, inflammation, oxidative stress and endothelial activation. The objective of this study was to determine if oxygen scavenging or endothelin A receptor antagonism improved hypertension and oxidative stress. sFlt-1 and sEndoglin were infused via mini-osmotic pump into normal pregnant rats (NP) on gestational day 12 to create HELLP syndrome. On gestational day 18 arterial catheters were inserted and on gestational day 19 mean arterial pressure was analyzed in rats; serum, urine and tissues were collected for molecular analysis. HELLP rats had significantly increased MAP compared to control normal pregnant rats (P  A Receptor or NP+Tempol treated rats and NP rats (P = 0.22). Endothelin A receptor blockade significantly decreased HELLP induced isoprostane excretion (P