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Published on: July 30, 2016
Prenatal Melatonin Modulates Cardiovascular Function and Oxidative Stress in Guinea Pig Neonates Under Normoxic and
Adolfo A Paz1, Tamara A Jiménez1, Pedro Herrera1
1Laboratorio de Función y Reactividad Vascular, Núcleo Interdisciplinario de Fisiología, Biofísica y Fisiopatología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas (ICBM), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380436, Chile.
Insights
Prenatal melatonin partially improved cardiovascular function in guinea pigs exposed to gestational hypoxia (GH). However, melatonin altered cardiac structure in normoxic pregnancies, suggesting cautious, targeted use.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Perinatal Medicine
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Gestational hypoxia (GH) is linked to cardiovascular disease risk via oxidative stress and vascular dysfunction.
- Prenatal interventions are crucial for mitigating adverse perinatal outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the protective effects of prenatal melatonin against gestational hypoxia-induced cardiovascular changes in guinea pig neonates.
- To evaluate the impact of melatonin on oxidative stress and vascular reactivity.
Main Methods:
- Pregnant guinea pigs were exposed to normoxia or hypoxia, with or without melatonin treatment.
- Neonatal cardiovascular structure and function were assessed using echocardiography and vascular reactivity tests.
- Molecular assays measured oxidative stress markers and antioxidant enzyme activity in cardiac tissues.
Main Results:
- Gestational hypoxia reduced birth weight and altered left ventricular (LV) development and aortic blood flow.
- Melatonin treatment reversed hypoxia-induced endothelial dysfunction and decreased LV/aortic oxidative stress.
- Catalase activity increased in melatonin-treated hypoxic neonates; however, melatonin altered cardiac structure in normoxic controls.
Conclusions:
- Prenatal melatonin offers partial protection against gestational hypoxia-induced endothelial dysfunction and oxidative stress.
- Melatonin's effects on cardiac structure in normoxic pregnancies warrant caution and suggest targeted application.
- Further research is needed to optimize melatonin's therapeutic use in high-risk pregnancies.
Abstract:
Introduction: Gestational hypoxia (GH) increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases by inducing oxidative stress and vascular dysfunction. This study investigates whether prenatal melatonin can mitigate these effects in guinea pigs. Methods: Pregnant guinea pigs were exposed to normoxia or hypoxia and treated with melatonin (1 mg/kg/day). Echocardiography, vascular reactivity, and molecular assays were used to assess cardiovascular structure, function, and redox balance in neonates. Results: GH reduced neonatal birth weight and altered left ventricular (LV) development, resulting in increased LV systolic function and aortic blood flow velocity. Melatonin treatment reversed these effects, restoring endothelial-dependent vasodilation and decreasing oxidative stress in the LV and thoracic aorta. Catalase antioxidant enzyme activity was elevated in melatonin-treated hypoxic neonates. Unexpectedly, melatonin treatment altered cardiac structure in normoxic pregnancies, increasing LV length and decreasing LV myocardial nuclei density. Conclusions: Prenatal melatonin partially modulates GH-induced endothelial dysfunction and oxidative stress, offering potential therapeutic value. However, its effects under normoxic conditions deserve caution, emphasizing the need for targeted use only in pregnancies with evident hypoxic and oxidative stress conditions.
