Mechanisms of Endothelium-Dependent Relaxation in Myometrial Resistance Vessels and Their Alteration in Preeclampsia

Abstract

Eicosanoid synthesis plays little part in the relaxation of normal pregnant myometrial vessels to bradykinin. Nitric oxide synthesis mediates part but not all of the endothelium-dependent relaxation. In preeclampsia, relaxation to bradykinin is reduced; inhibition of eicosanoid synthesis allows increased relaxation, and nitric oxide synthesis appears to mediate a greater proportion of the relaxation than in normal pregnant women.