Preeclampsia is caused by continuous sympathetic center excitation due to an enlarged pregnant uterus
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Kazuo Maeda
Abstract
Aims: To deduce the origin of preeclampsia characterized by hypertension and proteinuraia on the basis of results from animal studies and its therapeutic strategies.
Methods: Sympathetic and parasympathetic zones of female non-pregnant rabbit brain were stimulated electrically with Kurotu’s electrodes. Systolic blood pressure, urine volume, and proteinuria were evaluated before and after the stimulation of autonomic zones.
Results: Excitation, hypertension, urine reduction, cloudy urine, and proteinuria were observed following stimulation of the sympathetic zone. A stable state, low blood pressure, increased urine volume, and no proteinuria were observed following stimulation of the parasympathetic zone.
Conclusion: Hypertension and proteinuria in preeclampsia are caused by continuous stimulation of the sympathetic nervous center in the hypothalamus through the innervation between the enlarged uterus and hypothalamus in the latter stages of pregnancy or in a complete hydatidiform mole. Future studies are needed to address the potential of pharmacological suppression of an overactive sympathetic nerve system.
References
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The author stated that there is no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this article.
©2014 by Walter de Gruyter Berlin Boston
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Articles in the same Issue
- frontmatter
- Review articles
- Evaluation of the role of first-trimester obstetric ultrasound in the detection of major anomalies: a systematic review
- Austrian Newborn Screening Program: a perspective of five decades
- Original articles – Obstetrics
- Cervical strain determined by ultrasound elastography and its association with spontaneous preterm delivery
- Risk factors for unfavorable pregnancy outcome in women with adverse childhood experiences
- Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARγ) is down regulated in trophoblast cells of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and in trophoblast tumour cells BeWo in vitro after stimulation with PPARγ agonists
- Premature rupture of membranes at term in low risk women: how long should we wait in the “latent phase”?
- Ferrous bisglycinate 25 mg iron is as effective as ferrous sulfate 50 mg iron in the prophylaxis of iron deficiency and anemia during pregnancy in a randomized trial
- Neonatal serum magnesium concentrations are determined by total maternal dose of magnesium sulfate administered for neuroprotection
- Labor induction in nulliparous women with an unfavorable cervix: double balloon catheter versus dinoprostone
- Peripartum thromboprophylaxis before and after implementation of a uniform heparin protocol
- Original articles – Fetus
- Impact of sex on perinatal mortality and morbidity in twins
- Opinion paper
- Preeclampsia is caused by continuous sympathetic center excitation due to an enlarged pregnant uterus
- Original articles – Newborn
- Practical application of kangaroo mother care in preterm infants: clinical characteristics and safety of kangaroo mother care
- Survival and neonatal morbidity among extremely preterm born infants in relation to gestational age based on the last menstrual period or ultrasonographic examination
- Short communication
- Reference values of nuchal translucency thickness in a Brazilian population sample: experience from a single center
- Letters to the Editor
- Hepatic rupture: a rare but serious complication of HELLP syndrome
- Reply
- Reply to: hepatic rupture – a rare but serious complication of HELLP syndrome
- Congress Calendar
- Congress Calendar
