Protective effects of PPAR‐γ against pregnancy‐induced hypertension by differential ETR expression in rat models

This study aims to investigate the effects of PPAR‐γ on rats with pregnancy‐induced hypertension (PIH) by regulating endothelin receptor (ETR). A total of 60 pregnant Wistar rats were selected, and 50 rats were used to establish endotoxin induced PIH rat models. Rats were equally assigned into PIH‐NS, PIH‐5 mg/kg RM, PIH‐10 mg/kg RM, PIH‐100 mg/kg ETR, and PIH‐200 mg/kg ETR groups, and the rest 10 rats were assigned to a the control group. Reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR) and Western blotting were used for determining mRNA and protein expressions of PPAR‐γ and ET A R, respectively. Protein expression of ET‐1 was detected by immunohistochemistry. Results show that On the 22nd day of pregnancy, compared with the PIH‐NS group, SBP decreased in other groups, and platelet concentration increased most significantly in the PIH‐10 mg/kg RM and PIH‐200 mg/kg ETR groups. Compared with the control, PIH‐10 mg/kg RM and PIH‐200 mg/kg ETR groups, the increase in the expression of ET‐1 and ET A R was most significant in the PIH‐NS group. Compared with the control and PIH‐10 mg/kg RM groups, expression of PPAR‐γ was lower in the PIH‐NS, PIH‐5 mg/kg RM, PIH‐100 mg/kg ETR, and PIH‐200 mg/kg ETR groups. Compared with the PIH‐NS, PIH‐100 mg/kg ETR and PIH‐200 mg/kg ETR groups, PPAR‐γ expression was significantly higher in the PIH‐5 mg/kg RM group (all P < 0.05). Based on our findings, we conclude that PPAR‐γ activation inhibits ETR expression and reduces the effect of ET‐1 on vascular contraction thereby delaying PIH progression.