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Hypertension, inflammation and T lymphocytes are increased in a rat model of HELLP syndrome
Kedra Wallace1, Rachael Morris, Patrick B Kyle
1Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology .
Objective:
An animal model of hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelet count (HELLP) was used to determine if T lymphocytes accompany hypertension and increased inflammatory cytokines.
Methods:
sFlt-1 (4.7 µg/kg/day) and sEndoglin (7 µg/kg/day) were infused into normal pregnant rats (HELLP rats) for 8 days.
Results:
HELLP was associated with increased mean arterial pressure (p = 0.0001), hemolysis (p = 0.044), elevated liver enzymes (p = 0.027), and reduced platelets (p = 0.035). HELLP rats had increased plasma levels of TNFα (p = 0.039), IL-6 (p = 0.038) and IL-17 (p = 0.04). CD4(+) and CD8(+) T lymphocytes were increased.
Conclusion:
These data support the hypothesis that T cells are associated with hypertension and inflammation.
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