Abnormal development of cerebral arteries and veins in offspring of experimentally preeclamptic rats: Potential role in perinatal stroke

Emmett E. Whitaker, Abbie C. Johnson, Justin E. Miller, Devon P. Lindner, Marilyn J. Cipolla

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Preeclampsia, a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy, complicates up to 10 % of all pregnancies and increases the risk for perinatal stroke in offspring. The mechanism of this increase is unknown, but may involve vascular dysfunction. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of experimental preeclampsia (ePE) on cerebrovascular function in offspring to eludciate a possible mechanism for this association. Dams were fed a high cholesterol diet beginning on day 7 of gestation to induce experimental preeclampsia. Middle cerebral arteries (MCA) and the Vein of Galen (VoG) were isolated from pups from ePE dams and compared to pups from normal pregnant (NP) dams at postnatal days 16, 23, and 30 and studied pressurized in an arteriograph chamber. Markers of inflammation and oxidative stress were measured in serum. Our results suggest altered structure and function in both MCA and VoG of ePE pups. We also found evidence of systemic inflammation and oxidative stress in ePE pups. These findings provide a potential link between preeclampsia and the occurrence or severity of perinatal stroke.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number111491
JournalMechanisms of Ageing and Development
Volume196
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2021
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Cerebral vasculature
  • Middle cerebral artery
  • Offspring
  • Preeclampsia
  • Vein of galen

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Aging
  • Developmental Biology

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