Hypertension, inflammation and T lymphocytes are increased in a rat model of HELLP syndrome

OBJECTIVE: An animal model of hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelet count (HELLP) was used to determine if T lymphocytes accompany hypertension and increased inflammatory cytokines. METHODS: sFlt-1 (4.7 µg/kg/day) and sEndoglin (7 µg/kg/day) were infused into normal pregnant rats (HELLP rats) for 8 days. RESULTS: HELLP was associated with increased mean arterial pressure (p = 0.0001), hemolysis (p = 0.044), elevated liver enzymes (p = 0.027), and reduced platelets (p = 0.035). HELLP rats had increased plasma levels of TNFα (p = 0.039), IL-6 (p = 0.038) and IL-17 (p = 0.04). CD4(+) and CD8(+) T lymphocytes were increased. CONCLUSION: These data support the hypothesis that T cells are associated with hypertension and inflammation.