Decitabine Improves the Clinical Manifestations of Rats With l-NAME-Induced Pre-eclampsia: A Potential Approach to Studying Pre-eclampsia

Abstract

Objective: Pre-eclampsia is a major cause of maternal mortality and morbidity. Conditions with low oxygen tension are regarded as a key factor. Decitabine can partly attenuate the effects of hypoxia. This research was designed to investigate the effects of decitabine in rats with NG-Nitro-L-arginine Methyl Eater (L-NAME) induced pre-eclampsia and to explore the molecular mechanisms. Methods: A Wistar rat model of pre-eclampsia was established by intraperitoneal injection of L-NAME, and the intervention reagent was decitabine. Blood pressure (BP) and 24-h urinary protein were monitored. The expression of Mammary Serine Protease Inhibitor (SERPINB5, maspin) in the placenta was detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blotting. Results: Systolic BP in the tail artery of pregnant rats was increased by more than 30 mm Hg, and 24-h urinary protein was significantly increased after L-NAME was added. After decitabine treatment, blood pressure and 24-h urinary protein were significantly decreased. The expression of SERPINB5 in the placenta significantly increased after L-NAME was added. Decitabine significantly elevated the expression of SERPINB5 in the placenta of rats with L-NAME-induced preeclampsia. Conclusion: Decitabine reduced 24-h urinary protein and partly decreased blood pressure of pre-eclampsia in late pregnancy in rats with L-NAME-induced pre-eclampsia and increased the expression of SERPINB5, but the molecular mechanism of decitabine's effect remains unknown. This research provided a potential approach to studying the pathogenesis, treatment and prevention of pre-eclampsia.

• decitabine
• placenta
• pre-eclampsia
• SERPINB5

DECLARATION OF INTEREST

The authors report no conflicts of interest. This study was supported by a grant from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 81200451).