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Sildenafil therapy for fetal cardiovascular dysfunction during hypoxic development: studies in the chick embryo
Nozomi Itani1, Katie L Skeffington1, Christian Beck1
1Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, UK.
The Journal of Physiology
|November 19, 2016
Summary
Sildenafil directly protects the developing fetal heart and circulation from damage caused by chronic hypoxia. This antioxidant therapy works by reducing oxidative stress and increasing nitric oxide bioavailability, offering a potential treatment for adverse pregnancies.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Science
- Developmental Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Chronic fetal hypoxia is a major cause of cardiovascular dysfunction, programming future heart disease.
- Sildenafil is known to improve placental function and fetal growth, but its direct effects on the fetus are unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the direct protective effects of sildenafil on the fetal cardiovascular system in a model of chronic hypoxia.
- To elucidate the underlying mechanisms of sildenafil's protective action.
Main Methods:
- The chick embryo model was used to isolate the effects of sildenafil on the fetus.
- Embryos were exposed to normoxia or hypoxia and treated with sildenafil.
- Fetal heart and circulatory function, oxidative stress markers, and nitric oxide bioavailability were assessed.
Main Results:
- Hypoxia increased oxidative stress and impaired nitric oxide bioavailability in the fetal heart and circulation.
- Sildenafil treatment in hypoxic conditions reduced oxidative stress and normalized nitric oxide bioavailability.
- Sildenafil directly protected fetal cardiovascular function without improving fetal growth restriction.
Conclusions:
- Sildenafil directly protects the fetal cardiovascular system against hypoxia-induced damage.
- Mechanisms include reduced oxidative stress and enhanced nitric oxide bioavailability.
- Sildenafil shows promise as a translational antioxidant therapy for protecting fetuses in adverse pregnancies.
