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Updated: May 10, 2026
06:55
Assessment of Maternal Vascular Remodeling During Pregnancy in the Mouse Uterus
Published on: December 5, 2015
Endothelial function progressively deteriorates during normal pregnancy.
Kohei Fujita1, Keiji Tatsumi, Eiji Kondoh
1Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan. gynef@kuhp.kyoto-u.ac.jp
Hypertension in Pregnancy
|June 4, 2013
Summary
In normal pregnancy, maternal endothelial function declines with gestational age. This deterioration is inversely correlated with increasing levels of plasma soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1).
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Reproductive Medicine
Background:
- Endothelial dysfunction is a hallmark of various pregnancy complications.
- Soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) is implicated in endothelial dysfunction.
- Understanding endothelial function changes in normal pregnancy is crucial for identifying pathological states.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the longitudinal changes in maternal endothelial function during normal pregnancy.
- To examine the relationship between endothelial function and plasma levels of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) throughout gestation.
Main Methods:
- Endothelial function was assessed using the reactive hyperemia index (RHI) via Endo-PAT2000.
- Plasma sFlt-1 concentrations were measured concurrently using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
Main Results:
- A progressive decline in RHI was observed as gestational age advanced.
- Plasma sFlt-1 levels showed a gradual increase in late pregnancy.
- A significant inverse correlation was found between RHI and plasma sFlt-1 levels.
Conclusions:
- Maternal endothelial function deteriorates progressively with advancing gestational age in normal pregnancy.
- Plasma sFlt-1 levels increase with gestational age and correlate inversely with endothelial function.
- These findings highlight a potential role for sFlt-1 in modulating endothelial function during normal pregnancy.
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