Labetalol treatment in estrogen-induced cholestasis – A pilot study

Background and Aims: Preeclampsia and intrahepatic cholestasis (ICP) are serious complications of pregnancy, which threaten mothers and fetuses with adverse outcomes such as stillbirth or preterm delivery. Clinical studies demonstrated strong coincidence of both pathologies but the cause of this simultaneous worsening and especially regarding liver functions is unknown. Labetalol, an alpha-/beta-adrenergic receptor antagonist is recommended in the therapy of hypertension in pregnancy. Therefore, in these pilot experiments, we aimed to elucidate the effect of labetalol therapy on mechanisms of bile formation in an animal model of ICP.
Source: Atherosclerosis - Category: Cardiology Authors: Source Type: research