Cardiovascular and hemodynamic consequences of recombinant placental growth factor administration in Guinea pigs

Placental growth factor (PlGF), a member of the vascular endothelial growth factor family of proteins regulating angiogenesis, has been shown to have acute vasodilatory effects on human resistance arteries. However, the acute hemodynamic effects of PlGF in vivo are not known. The aim of this study was to report acute cardiovascular changes induced by recombinant human PlGF administered intravenously in male Guinea Pigs with implanted telemeters. PlGF decreased mean arterial blood pressure by 10-20% within minutes. The magnitude of reduction was similar at three dose levels; however, the duration of relative hypotension was dose-dependent. Blood pressure reduction resulted in a compensatory increase in heart rate, or reflex tachycardia. To rule out any direct effect on the heart, PlGF was tested in the ex vivo Langendorff heart preparation, and no cardiac changes were found. Together these results suggest that the PlGF-related changes in blood pressure are largely mediated by its actions in the vasculature.