L-arginine attenuates hypertension in pregnant rats with reduced uterine perfusion pressure.

A chronic reduction in uterine perfusion pressure in the pregnant rat is associated with significant elevations in mean arterial pressure, proteinuria, and reductions in kidney function as is chronic nitric oxide blockade, suggesting that nitric oxide deficiency may contribute to the clinical manifestations of preeclampsia. The purpose of this study was to determine whether supplementation with L-arginine, the precursor for nitric oxide, attenuates the hypertension produced in response to a chronic reduction in uterine perfusion pressure in the pregnant rat. Reduced uterine perfusion was initiated at day 14 of gestation with arterial pressure determined at day 19 of gestation in conscious, chronically instrumented rats.