Funding outcome

Preeclampsia (PE) is a serious health problem that affects pregnant women, causing high blood pressure and other complications that can be dangerous for both the mother and baby. It is also linked to an increased risk of heart disease later in life. Women with high cholesterol (HC) levels during pregnancy are at a higher risk of developing PE (abbreviated as HC-PE). It is thought that an oxidized LDL receptor (called LOX-1) becomes activated when there are high levels of cholesterol, leading to inflammation and damage to the blood vessels. This damage reduces the availability of nitric oxide, an important molecule that helps blood vessels relax and function properly. Without enough nitric oxide, blood flow reduces, contributing to the complications seen in HC-PE. Statins, medications commonly used to lower cholesterol and prevent heart disease, might also help improve blood vessel health in pregnancy by blocking this oxidized LDL receptor. However, until recently, statins were not recommended during pregnancy due to safety concerns. In 2021, the FDA revised this recommendation, opening the door to studying their potential benefits for pregnant women at high risk of complications like PE. This study aims to test whether a specific statin called pravastatin can reduce the harmful effects of this oxidized LDL receptor in HC-PE and improve blood vessel function. We will use a mouse model of HC-PE and compare three groups: mice with normal pregnancies, mice with HC-PE pregnancies, and mice with HC-PE pregnancies treated with pravastatin. By studying blood vessel function, inflammation, and markers of oxidative stress, we hope to understand how pravastatin works and whether it can reverse the damage caused by HC-PE. If successful, this research could help identify women who might benefit from pravastatin use during pregnancy. This could lead to better treatments for PE, improving health outcomes for mothers and babies.