Cardiac health in the reduced uterine perfusion pressure rat model of preeclampsia

Background: Preeclampsia (PE) is a life-threatening disorder without treatment options except delivery of the baby and the placenta, often pre-term. PE increases the risk of subsequent cardiovascular complications in both mothers and offspring. In this study, our aim was to investigate the associated cardiac health in the reduced uterine perfusion pressure (RUPP) rat model of PE. Methods: The RUPP model was induced in pregnant rats (GD14) by applying silver clips around aorta and uterine arteries reducing the blood flow to the uterus by ~40%. On GD19, echocardiography was performed and blood pressure measured. At the end of the experiment, maternal organs were harvested and processed for downstream analyses. Results: Whilst RUPP rats had increased systolic pressure (sham 113 ± 1 vs RUPP 125 ± 2 mmHg, n=8, P<0.001), diastolic blood pressure was substantially augmented and in the hypertensive range (sham 88 ± 2 vs RUPP 102 ± 2 mmHg, n=8, P