Received for publication March 29, 2006.
Revised May 16, 2006.
Accepted for publication May 18, 2006.

Beneficial Effects of Metolazone in a Rat Model of Preeclampsia

Abstract

Preeclampsia is a disorder, which continues to exact a significant toll with respect to maternal morbidity and mortality as well as fetal wastage. Furthermore, the treatment of this disorder has not changed significantly in 50 years and is unsatisfactory. The use of diuretics in this syndrome is controversial because there is a concern related to potential baleful effects of volume contraction leading to a possible further decrement in the perfusion of the maternal-fetal unit. Metolazone is a diuretic/antihypertensive agent, which has a therapeutic effect on blood pressure (BP) in human essential hypertension without causing a natriuresis. We administered the drug in non-diuretic doses in a rat model of preeclampsia previously developed in this laboratory. The drug reduced BP without an accompanying natriuresis. Although there was a trend toward an improvement in intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), as determined by litter size and the number of pups demonstrating malformations, the values did not reach statistical significance. We conclude that metolazone, in low dosage, is an effective antihypertensive in this rat model. These studies have implications for the treatment of the human disorder.

Key words: blood pressure, hypertension, kidney, metolazone, preeclampsia, rat model