Effects of nitrovasodilators on the human fetal-placental circulation in vitro.

This study examines the vasorelaxation of isolated human placental chorionic plate arteries and the perfused fetal-placental vasculature, in vitro, to a variety of nitrovasodilator compounds including glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) sodium nitroprusside (SNP), S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP), S-nitroso-N-glutathione (SNG) and NaNO(2). The effects of these compounds were also examined under conditions of high (>450 mmHg) and low oxygen (<50 mmHg) tension. In a separate series of experiments the effects of GTN and NaNO(2)were further investigated with addition of the antioxidants cysteine (100 microm), glutathione (100 microm) or superoxide dismutase (SOD) (30 I.U./ml). The order of nitrovasodilator potency, when added directly to isolated fetal vessels was GTN=SNP>SNAP=SNG>NaNO(2). The order under low oxygen tension was similar, GTN=SNP>SNG= SNAP>or=NaNO(2). SNG ( approximately fourfold) and NaNO(2)( approximately 50-fold) were significantly more potent under low oxygen conditions. Cysteine, glutathione and SOD were without effect on GTN induced vasodilatation. However, all three agents significantly enhanced (six- to ninefold) the effects of NaNO(2)under similar conditions. When infused directly into the fetal-placental circulation during in vitro perfusion experiments the order of potency was GTN>SNP>or=SNG>or=SNAP>or=NaNO(2). When the nitrovasodilators were infused indirectly via the maternal intervillous space the order of potency was GTN>or=SNP>or=NaNO(2)>or=SNAP=SNG. Our observations suggest that there are important differences in the action of different classes of nitrovasodilator compounds on the fetal-placental circulation. The changes observed with SNG and NaNO(2)may be influenced by levels of tissue oxygenation. Copyright 2001 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.