L-arginine improves uterine spiral arterial wall thickness in mouse models of preeclampsia
Abstract: Preeclampsia is a
major cause of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. The imbalance of
anti-angiogenic and angiogenic factors plays a role in endothelial dysfunction
in preeclampsia. L-arginine is expected to improve the process of spiral artery
remodeling. This study aims to examine the use of L-arginine to repair
endothelial damage by measuring the thickness of uterine spiral arteries in
mouse (Mus musculus) models of preeclampsia.
Methods: The researchers
carried out an experimental study using 30 sixteen-day old pregnant Swiss mice
(in good health, weighing 20-25 grams), which were randomly divided into 3
groups (each consisting of 10 mice). The groups were as follows: 1) normal
pregnancy K(-); 2) preeclampsia model K(+); and 3) preeclampsia model receiving
L-arginine (P). The authors performed histopathological examination of the
mouse placenta, which had been dissected, embedded in paraffin wax and
subsequently stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE). The results were analyzed
in SPSS v. 21 for Windows using Anova with Tukey.
Results: The mean thickness of spiral arteries in group K(-) was 53.95 +
26.96 mm, in K(+) 96.50 + 16.66 mm, and in P 62.79 + 8.04 mm. Statistically,
there were significant differences between groups K(-) and K(+) (p=0.001) and
between K(+) and P (p=0.000), but non-significant differences between K(-) and
P (p=1.000).
Conclusions
The treatment with L-arginine proved to be effective in repairing
endothelial damage by reducing intimal hyperplasia and atherosis and, in turn,
the thickness of uterine spiral arteries in mouse models of preeclampsia.
Keywords: L-Arginine; spiral
artery thickness; preeclampsia; mouse
Author: Soetrisno, Sri
Sulistyowati, Anwar Sandi Wibowo
Journal Code: jpkedokterangg170048
