Impact of orexin on vascular endothelial dysfunction and oxidative stress in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy

Introduction: Orexin is a hypothalamic neuropeptide involved in the regulation of appetite, arousal, blood pressure, and vascular function. Psychological stress has been reported to activate the orexin system and influence cardiovascular regulation. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) are characterized by increased psychological stress, oxidative stress, and vascular endothelial dysfunction, making HDP a suitable clinical condition to investigate potential interactions among these factors during pregnancy. However, the relationship between orexin, psychological stress, and pregnancy-related vascular dysfunction remains unclear. This prospective observational study investigated whether plasma orexin levels are associated with psychological stress, oxidative stress, and vascular endothelial dysfunction in women with HDP.