Shear stress may stimulate release and action of nitric oxide in the human fetal-placental vasculature

Article Abstract:

Blood vessels may release higher than normal amounts of nitric oxide in response to increases in blood flow. Nitric oxide is produced by the body and is known to dilate blood vessels. Researchers used newly delivered placentas to test the effect of increases in blood flow, and found that without adding the nitric oxide inhibitor N-nitro-L-arginine, increased blood flow caused the release of nitric oxide. This finding suggests that increases in blood flow may cause relaxation of blood vessels in the fetus and placenta. Relaxed blood vessels may be desirable in the fetus and placenta when they are affected by diabetes, slow fetal growth, or high blood pressure. Increased blood flow may influence the release of nitric oxide more than increased blood viscosity.

Blood flow, Shear flow

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Nitric oxide concentrations are increased in the fetoplacental circulation in preeclampsia

Article Abstract:

The fetuses of pregnant women with high blood pressure may produce higher than normal amounts of nitric oxide to compensate for decreased blood flow and oxygen. Nitric oxide is a substance which dilates blood vessels. Researchers compared the level of nitrites, which indicates nitric oxide production, in 36 normal pregnancies and 32 pregnancies complicated by maternal high blood pressure. Significantly greater amounts of nitrites were observed in the fetuses but not in the mothers with high blood pressure. This finding may suggest that the fetus increases the amount of nitric oxide to increase blood flow in its circulation or to reduce clotting. The placenta may have impaired circulation as well.

Preeclampsia, Fetal blood

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Nitric oxide synthase gene knockout mice do not become hypertensive during pregnancy

Article Abstract:

A deficiency of nitric oxide does not appear to be responsible for causing hypertension during pregnancy, according to a study in mice. Nitric oxide is a substance produced by the body that relaxes blood vessels.

Research, Hypertension in pregnancy, Gestational hypertension

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