Differential expression of endocannabinoids system in preeclampsia: effects on nitric oxide synthesis.

CELLA MICAELA; DAMIANO ALICIA E; LEGUIZAMON GUSTAVO; GRASSETTI M; RIBEIRO MARIA LAURA; FRANCHI ANA; FARINA MARIANA

Santiago

Congreso; International Federation of Placenta Associations Meeting 2010; 2010

International Federation of Placenta Associations Meeting

The endocannabinoid system has been described in human placenta. Anandamide (AEA), a most important endocannabinoid, is synthesized by different pathway and degraded by the action of a fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH). AEA exerts part of its effects binding to CB1 or CB2 receptors. Nitric oxide (NO) could produce the observed vascular abnormalities in preeclampsia. Recently has been shown that AEA modulates NO synthesis in various tissues.Objetive: Our aim was to evaluate the differential expression of the endocannabinoid system in preeclampsia and analyze its involvement in regulating of NO synthesis. Methods: Placentas were obtained from women undergoing a cesarean section at term (NP, n=14), who exhibietd no pregnancy complications; and women with preeclampsia (PE, n=14) defined as high blood pressure (140/90 mmHg after 20 week gestation) and proteinuria (300mg/24h), after cesarean sections. Results: We detected the expression of CB1 receptor in NP and PE, and identify a decrease in activity and FAAH expression in PE, suggesting higher levels of AEA in this tissue.We evaluated the activity of NO synthase (NOS) and found that incubation of NP with AEA (10-8, 10-7M) increased NO synthesis (p