The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Grape Seed Proanthocyanidins (GSP) on Nω-Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester-induced hypertension in pregnant mice. Fifty Kunming mice were randomized into control, control + GSP, model, and model + GSP. Three weeks later, the artery systolic blood pressure was examined and the related pathological changes were detected. Aorta relaxation function was assessed by aorta ring apparatus. Blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine were measured by an automatic biochemistry analyzer. Colorimetric analysis, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, immunofluorescence, and western blot were applied to detect related indicator in serum, cardiac, and kidney tissues. The results showed that GSP treatment for 3 weeks could improve cardiovascular and kidney remodeling indexes and decrease blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine content in serum, as well as could ameliorate oxidative stress status and endothelial dysfunction. Therefore, it is for the first time found that GSP exerts protective effect against Nω-Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester-induced hypertension in pregnant mice, which provided a theoretical basis for potential application in the clinic.
Keywords: cardiovascular remodeling; endothelial dysfunction; hypertension; kidney hypertrophy; oxidative stress; pregnancy.
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