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Author Spotlight: Modeling an Aspect of Preeclampsia in Female Mice Using Hypoxic Human Placenta-Derived Small Extracellular Vesicles
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Reduced urinary angiotensinogen excretion in preeclampsia
Natalie S Colόn1, Ahmed F Pantho2, Syeda H Afroze2
1Orion Institute for Translational Medicine, United States.
Pregnancy Hypertension
|November 19, 2021
Summary
Urinary angiotensinogen is reduced in preeclampsia. This study found lower urinary angiotensinogen levels in both human patients and a rat model of preeclampsia, suggesting a potential biomarker.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Medicine
- Nephrology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Preeclampsia is a serious pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure.
- The renin-angiotensin system plays a crucial role in blood pressure regulation.
- Angiotensinogen, a key component of this system, has been investigated as a potential factor in preeclampsia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate urinary angiotensinogen levels in women with preeclampsia compared to normal pregnant women.
- To investigate urinary angiotensinogen in a rat model of preeclampsia.
- To assess the relationship between urinary angiotensinogen and plasma angiotensin II in preeclampsia.
Main Methods:
- Human study included 31 preeclamptic and 57 normal pregnant women.
- Rat study included 10 preeclamptic and 10 normal pregnant rats.
- Urinary angiotensinogen and plasma angiotensin II were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
Main Results:
- Urinary angiotensinogen was significantly lower in preeclamptic patients (2.0 ± 1.1 ng/mg creatinine) compared to normal pregnant women (2.7 ± 1.5 ng/mg creatinine).
- Plasma angiotensin II levels were also lower in preeclamptic patients (36.2 ± 7 fmol/mL) than in normal pregnant women (48.1 ± 5 fmol/mL).
- Similar reductions in urinary angiotensinogen were observed in the preeclampsia rat model.
Conclusions:
- Reduced urinary excretion of angiotensinogen is a characteristic finding in human preeclampsia.
- This reduction is mirrored in an animal model, supporting its relevance to preeclampsia pathophysiology.
- Urinary angiotensinogen may serve as a potential biomarker for preeclampsia.
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