Vasoactive effects of neurokinin B on human blood vessels

Objectives: Preeclampsia (PE) is a multisystem disease unique to human pregnancy. Abnormal placentation results in placental hypoperfusion leading to the secretion of a factor(s) by the placenta. Our aim was to investigate whether neurokinin B (NKB) is the circulating factor associated with PE. Study Design: Vascular effects of NKB were assessed in blood vessels dissected from myometrial and omental biopsy specimens obtained at caesarean section from normal pregnant women (n = 26) or in mesenteric blood vessels obtained from nonpregnant female Wistar rats (n = 4). Results: Incubation with NKB did not alter endothelial-dependent relaxation of omental or myometrial arteries. NKB produced a dose-dependent relaxation in preconstricted omental arteries and veins. NKB did not affect vasoactive responsiveness of rat mesenteric arteries. Conclusion: We conclude from these observations that NKB is not the circulating factor associated with increased vascular resistance in PE. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2003;188:196–202.)