Phosphodiesterase Inhibition in the Treatment of Preeclampsia: What Is New?

Purpose Of Review: The present study intends to review the possibility of using phosphodiesterase inhibitors as a treatment option for preeclampsia, addressing potential risks and benefits.

Recent Findings: Preeclampsia is the most common hypertensive disorder of pregnancy, often responsible for severe maternal and fetal complications, which can lead to early pregnancy termination and death. Despite the numerous studies, its pathophysiology is still unclear, although it seems to involve a multiplicity of complex factors related to angiogenesis, ineffective vasodilation, oxidative stress, inflammatory cytokines, and endothelial dysfunction.

Phosphodiesterases and preeclampsia.

Antagonizing vasodilation has been considered one of the potential mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology of preeclampsia. Phosphodiesterases hydrolyze cGMP, interfering with the action of nitric oxide on vascular smooth muscle, thus causing vasoconstriction. We hypothesize that the phosphodiesterases in maternal plasma, phosphodiesterase-5 in particular, may be linked to clinical manifestations in preeclampsia syndrome.

Morphological aspects of Monocercomonas sp. and investigation on probable pseudocysts occurrence.

Monocercomonas sp. is a flagellate protozoan found in the large intestine of snakes and in insects. Light microscopy revealed the measurements of morphological features of the trophozoites.

Characterization of an ecto-5'-nucleotidase (EC 3.1.3.5) activity in intact trophozoites of Trichomonas gallinae.

This study describes the enzymatic properties of an ecto-5'-nucleotidase in Trichomonas gallinae. The enzyme hydrolyzes nucleoside monophosphates at pH 7.2 and is activated by divalent cations, such as magnesium.