Maternal Plasma Volume Expansion is Modulated in Early Pregnancy by a Low Protein Diet in the Rat

1998 ◽  
Vol 94 (s38) ◽  
pp. 5P-5P ◽  
Author(s):  
SJM Welham ◽  
T Wheeler ◽  
SC Langley-Evans
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Volume ◽  
Early Pregnancy ◽  
Volume Expansion ◽  
Maternal Plasma ◽  
Protein Diet ◽  
Low Protein Diet ◽  
Plasma Volume Expansion ◽  
Low Protein

Low-protein diet impairs vascular relaxation in virgin and pregnant rats

2002 ◽  
Vol 102 (5) ◽  
pp. 553-560 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angeliki KOUMENTAKI ◽  
Frederick ANTHONY ◽  
Lucilla POSTON ◽  
Timothy WHEELER
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Output ◽  
Plasma Volume ◽  
Vascular Function ◽  
Mesenteric Arteries ◽  
Protein Diet ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Low Protein Diet ◽  
Pregnant Rats ◽  
No Donor ◽  
Low Protein

Pregnancy is associated with increases in maternal cardiac output and plasma volume and a reduction in peripheral vascular resistance. Cardiac output and plasma volume are substantially reduced in pregnant rats fed a low-protein diet, but it is not known whether vascular function is also compromised. We have investigated vascular function in virgin and pregnant Wistar rats subjected to dietary protein restriction [9% (w/v) casein, compared with 18% (w/v) casein for controls]. The diets were fed to the groups for 18 days; in the pregnant rats, the diets were given from day 1 of pregnancy. Branches of the mesenteric arteries were studied on day 18 of the dietary period using myography. Significant reductions in sensitivity to acetylcholine occurred in vessels from virgin (P = 0.04) and pregnant (P = 0.01) rats that had consumed the 9% casein diet. In arteries from the virgin rats on the restricted diet there was also a significant reduction in sensitivity (P = 0.0003) and maximum relaxation (P = 0.009) to the NO donor spermine NONOate. Mean placental and fetal weights were significantly lower in the rats fed on 9% casein (P<0.0001 and P = 0.005 respectively). Thus low-protein diets impair vasodilator responses in female rats. These effects may contribute to the poor cardiovascular adaptation to pregnancy and lower fetal weights associated with restricted protein intake.

scholarly journals Effects of sildenafil on maternal hemodynamics and fetal growth in normal rat pregnancy

2010 ◽  
Vol 298 (2) ◽  
pp. R433-R438 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer M. Sasser ◽  
Chris Baylis
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Fetal Growth ◽  
Plasma Volume ◽  
Volume Expansion ◽  
Pde5 Inhibitor ◽  
Maternal Plasma ◽  
Sodium Retention ◽  
Maternal Weight ◽  
Plasma Volume Expansion ◽  
Normal Rat

It has been suggested that the phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitor sildenafil may be useful in the treatment of hypertension during pregnancy. However, we have reported a selective increase in renal inner medullary PDE5 that participates in the sodium retention of pregnancy. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine whether oral sildenafil treatment impairs maternal plasma volume expansion and/or fetal growth during rat pregnancy. Rats received sildenafil (10 mg·kg−1·day−1, 50 mg·kg−1·day−1, or 90 mg·kg−1·day−1) or vehicle on days 4–20 of pregnancy. On days 14–19, rats were housed in metabolic cages for collection of urine and measurement of food and water intake. Terminal hemodynamic and fetal measurements were taken on day 20. None of the sildenafil doses lowered blood pressure, and although all doses increased plasma cGMP concentrations, only the highest dose increased aortic and inner medullary cGMP content. Sildenafil had no effect on maternal weight gain; however, the highest dose decreased both plasma volume and renal sodium retention. The pup number and size were similar among the groups. Therefore, these studies suggest that low doses of systemic sildenafil may be safe during pregnancy in the rat, but higher doses may interfere with the physiological sodium retention and volume expansion of pregnancy. The effects of systemic sildenafil on blood pressure and sodium retention during hypertension in human pregnancy remain to be examined.

Plasma Volume Expansion in Early Pregnancy

2001 ◽  
Vol 97 (5) ◽  
pp. 669-672 ◽  
Author(s):  
IRA M. BERNSTEIN ◽  
WILLIAM ZIEGLER ◽  
GARY J. BADGER
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Volume ◽  
Early Pregnancy ◽  
Volume Expansion ◽  
Plasma Volume Expansion

Hepatic Ultrastructure Changes Induced by Lithocholic Acid

1967 ◽  
Vol 25 ◽  
pp. 162-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. G. Zaki
Keyword(s):  
Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Lithocholic Acid ◽  
Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Protein Diet ◽  
Low Protein Diet ◽  
Electron Microscopic ◽  
Hydropic Degeneration ◽  
Hepatic Cells ◽  
Low Protein ◽  
Microscopic Studies

Addition of lithocholic acid (LCA), a naturally occurring bile acid in mammals, to a low protein diet fed to rats induced marked inflammatory reaction in the hepatic cells followed by hydropic degeneration and ductular cell proliferation. These changes were accompanied by dilatation and hyperplasia of the common bile duct and formation of “gallstones”. All these changes were reversible when LCA was withdrawn from the low protein diet except for the hardened gallstones which persisted.Electron microscopic studies revealed marked alterations in the hepatic cells. Early changes included disorganization, fragmentation of the rough endoplasmic reticulum and detachment of its ribosomes. Free ribosomes, either singly or arranged in small clusters were frequently seen in most of the hepatic cells. Vesiculation of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum was often encountered as early as one week after the administration of LCA (Fig. 1).

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