Resibufogenin Administration Prevents Oxidative Stress in a Rat Model of Human Preeclampsia

Abstract

Background and Objectives. Marinobufagenin (MBG) is a cardiotonic steroid that is increased in preeclampsia. An analog of MBG, resibufogenin (RBG), prevents the development of preeclampsia in a rat model. Oxidative stress is a concomitant of endothelial dysfunction in the latter disorder. The objective of the current studies was to evaluate the status of oxidative stress in a rat model of preeclampsia. Methods. We measured the aortic AT₁ receptor expression and urinary excretion of 8-isoprostane (8IP) in rats rendered “preeclamptic” and compared the findings to those obtained in normal pregnant animals, pregnant rats injected with MBG, and preeclamptic rats treated with RBG. Results. Aortic AT₁ receptor expression and the urinary excretion of 8IP were significantly augmented in “preeclamptic” and MBG-injected pregnant rats compared to normal pregnant animals. RBG prevented evidence of oxidative stress in “preeclamptic” rats. Conclusion. MBG is involved in the causation of oxidative stress in our rat model and RBG attenuates this change.

• Animal model
• Marinobufagenin
• Oxidative stress
• Preeclampsia
• Resibufogenin

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We thank Dr. G. R. Pettit (Arizona State University, AZ, USA) for his gift of the MBG. These studies were supported, in part, by a research grant-in-aid from Dialysis Clinic, Inc., and by the Department of Medicine, Texas A&M College of Medicine and the Scott & White Memorial Hospital Temple, TX, USA.

Declaration of Interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this paper.