The effects of nebivolol on the functional and structural changes in suramin‐induced preeclampsia‐like syndrome in rats

Abstract

Suramin causes defective placentation in pregnant rats which induces placental deficiency. It has been aimed to investigate the effects of nebivolol, which is a β‐blocker drug, on suramin‐induced preeclampsia‐like syndrome in rats. Suramin was injected on 10th and 11th days of pregnancy. Blood pressures of rats were observed daily. Pregnancies were terminated on the 20th day. Fetuses, placentae, kidneys, urine and functional contractile responses of uterine arteries were investigated. Increased blood pressures and proteinuria were detected in suramin‐treated rats. Numbers and weights of fetuses and placentae were reduced. Acute tubuler necrosis was detected. Contractile responses to phenylephrine, angiotensin II, prostaglandin F2α and endothelin‐1 were increased, while KCl‐induced responses were not altered. Acethylcholine‐induced relaxations were inhibited. Nebivolol treatment reduced the increased blood pressures and proteinuria, partially improved acute tubular necrosis in kidneys, increased numbers and weights of fetuses and placentae. Nebivolol restored endothelial dysfunction in uterine artery. In preeclampsia‐like syndrome induced by suramin, nitric oxide (NO) appears to have a significant role in the pathogenesis of endothelial dysfunction in uterine arteries. These findings suggest that nebivolol restores suramin‐induced alterations in this model by its NO producing effect.