Omeni, AA, Otamere HO, Adisa WA, Osifo UC, Iyamu OA, Ediangbe AP, Akpamu U, Odiase DE
Pregnancy is known to be associated with alteration in maternal conditions and functions. Almost all tissues and organs are involved. This study examines the role of endothelium in aortic vascular contractile response to phenylephrine in normal and Diabetic Pregnancy. Wister rats where grouped into two; A and B. Group A were non diabetic Pregnant rats comprising of sub-group A1 and A2. Group B were diabetic pregnant rats also comprising of sub-groups B1 and B2. Intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin was used to induce Diabetes. Group A1 and B1 have their endothelium intact while that of A2 and B2 were removed. Using 2mm aortic segment under standard organ bath conditions, tension was measured with Isometric transducer (FT.03) connected to glass polygraph (7D). Contraction to phenylephrine was observed to be concentration dependent. With intact endothelium, the maximal contraction of the rings from diabetic pregnant rats (group B1) were significantly (P< 0.05) enhanced than those from the normal pregnant rats (group A1). The removal of endothelium from both groups (A2 and B2) present significant reduction (P<0.05) in respond to phenylephrine. Diabetes Mellitus alters endothelia function. The enhanced contraction to phenylephrine in aortic blood vessels in pregnancy may be related to endothelial dysfunction.
