Hydroxychloroquine reduces hypertension and soluble fms-like kinase-1 in a Nω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester-induced preeclampsia rat model

Objective: Hydroxychloroquine, a drug used for malaria and autoimmune diseases reportedly has beneficial effects against preeclampsia in pregnant women with lupus. However, its mechanism against preeclampsia remains unclear. We investigated the effect of hydroxychloroquine on an Nω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester-induced preeclampsia rat model. Methods: Pregnant Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into four groups based on treatment (administered on gestational days 7–18): control, Nω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester, hydroxychloroquine, and Nω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester plus hydroxychloroquine. All animals were sacrificed on gestational day 19. We assayed tube formation and determined reactive oxygen species levels using human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Results: Results showed that hydroxychloroquine significantly lowered mean systolic blood pressure (P 
Source: Journal of Hypertension - Category: Cardiology Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLES Source Type: research