Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 5, 2025

Author Spotlight: Modeling an Aspect of Preeclampsia in Female Mice Using Hypoxic Human Placenta-Derived Small Extracellular Vesicles
05:31

Author Spotlight: Modeling an Aspect of Preeclampsia in Female Mice Using Hypoxic Human Placenta-Derived Small Extracellular Vesicles

Published on: January 26, 2024

840

Pathophysiology of Pre-Eclampsia-Two Theories of the Development of the Disease

Jakub Kornacki1, Olga Olejniczak1, Rafał Sibiak1,2,3

  • 1Department of Reproduction, Chair of Reproduction and Perinatal Medicine, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61-701 Poznan, Poland.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|January 11, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Pre-eclampsia, a major cause of maternal and fetal mortality, is being re-examined. New theories suggest heart dysfunction may initiate pre-eclampsia, challenging the traditional placental origin model.

Area of Science:

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Perinatal Research

Background:

  • Pre-eclampsia remains a significant contributor to maternal and fetal mortality and morbidity worldwide.
  • Despite advancements, the complete pathophysiology of pre-eclampsia is not fully understood.
  • The traditional "two-stage model" implicates placental dysfunction as the primary cause.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and compare the established placental-centric model of pre-eclampsia with emerging theories.
  • To explore the pathophysiological concepts, including the role of cardiac dysfunction, in pre-eclampsia development.
  • To highlight commonalities and differences between divergent pre-eclampsia models.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and synthesis of current research on pre-eclampsia pathophysiology.
  • Comparative analysis of the "two-stage model" and alternative theories, such as those involving cardiac dysfunction.
  • Identification of shared pathophysiological elements across different models.

Main Results:

  • The established model posits the placenta as the primary source of pre-eclampsia.
  • Emerging theories suggest cardiac dysfunction may be a primary driver of pre-eclampsia.
  • Both models critically involve impaired placental perfusion as a central pathophysiological feature.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding divergent pre-eclampsia pathomechanisms, including placental and cardiac roles, is crucial.
  • Impaired placental perfusion is a common and critical element in multiple pre-eclampsia models.
  • A comprehensive grasp of these mechanisms can lead to personalized patient care strategies for pre-eclampsia.

Keywords:
anti-angiogenic factorscardiovascular impairmentechocardiographyplacentaplacental growth factorpre-eclampsia

More Related Videos

Human Primary Trophoblast Cell Culture Model to Study the Protective Effects of Melatonin Against Hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced Disruption12:02

Human Primary Trophoblast Cell Culture Model to Study the Protective Effects of Melatonin Against Hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced Disruption

Published on: July 30, 2016

15.9K
Modeling Encephalopathy of Prematurity Using Prenatal Hypoxia-ischemia with Intra-amniotic Lipopolysaccharide in Rats07:36

Modeling Encephalopathy of Prematurity Using Prenatal Hypoxia-ischemia with Intra-amniotic Lipopolysaccharide in Rats

Published on: November 20, 2015

11.4K

Related Concept Videos

Hormonal Regulation01:33

Hormonal Regulation

The renin-aldosterone system is an endocrine system which guides the renal absorption of water and electrolytes, thus managing blood pressure and osmoregulation. Activation of the system begins in the kidneys with a small cluster of cells adjacent to the afferent and efferent blood vessels of the renal corpuscle. As the nephrons are filtering blood, juxtaglomerular cells monitor blood pressure. If they detect a decrease in pressure, they release the hormone renin into the bloodstream.
33.1K
Pathophysiology of Diabetes01:20

Pathophysiology of Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia. The four categories of diabetes are type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, other specific types of diabetes, and gestational diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes is characterized by autoimmune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β cells, with environmental factors potentially triggering this process in genetically susceptible individuals. Despite many not having a family history, certain genes increase susceptibility,...
940
Hypertension and Regulation of Blood Pressure01:18

Hypertension and Regulation of Blood Pressure

Hypertension, the most common cardiovascular disease, is diagnosed through repeated measurements of elevated blood pressure. Its risks, including damage to the kidney, heart, and brain, are directly proportional to blood pressure levels. Starting from 115/75 mm Hg, the risk of cardiovascular disease doubles with each increment of 20/10 mm Hg. The diagnosis relies on blood pressure measurements, not on patient symptoms, as hypertension is often asymptomatic until end-organ damage is imminent or...
2.1K
Psychosis: Pathophysiology of Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders01:27

Psychosis: Pathophysiology of Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders

Schizophrenia is a neurodevelopmental disorder whose origins are rooted in complex genetic components. Despite our burgeoning understanding, the pathophysiology of this disorder remains incompletely deciphered.
Researchers have identified genetic factors that increase susceptibility to schizophrenia, underscoring the intricate interplay between genetics and environment in disease development. At the core of schizophrenia's pathophysiology is excessive dopaminergic neurotransmission within...
657
Teratogenicity01:07

Teratogenicity

The ability of a drug to produce structural deformations and functional abnormalities in the developing embryo or the fetus is called teratogenicity, and the drug producing this effect is known as a teratogen. Teratogenic effects include stillbirth, miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction, and neurocognitive delay. A teratogen may affect the embryo at different stages of development, which is important in determining the type and extent of the damage. During blastocyst formation, the early...
2.5K
Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational01:22

Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational

Type 2 diabetes, characterized by insulin resistance, arises when the insulin receptors on cells lose responsiveness to insulin, diminishing the cell's capacity to take up glucose, resulting in elevated blood glucose levels. To receive a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes, a series of blood glucose tests are necessary to assess whether the blood glucose falls within normal parameters. If the result is out of the normal range, a patient may be diagnosed as prediabetic or diabetic, depending on the...
2.4K