Biomaterial Database

Decreased pressor responsiveness in pregnancy: studies in experimental animals. 1987

M S Paller

Pregnant animals of several species are resistant to the pressor effects of vasoconstrictor substances. Although a blunted pressor response to angiotensin II (AII) has been most thoroughly documented, resistance to the pressor effects of norepinephrine (NE), and arginine vasopressin (AVP) has also been found. In this review, possible mechanisms for decreased pressor responsiveness are discussed. Although antagonism of vasoconstriction by vasodilatory prostaglandins is the most likely cause for decreased pressor responsiveness in pregnancy, other possibilities have been proposed. Reduced pressor responsiveness to AII occurs in many conditions other than pregnancy, and the mechanisms involved include down-regulation of AII receptors, increased production of vasodilatory prostaglandins (as in pregnancy), and post-receptor defects in AII action. Several recent studies have also suggested a role of the sex hormones, particularly 17-beta-estradiol and prolactin, in stimulating prostaglandin production and causing the decreased pressor response to AII in pregnancy.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D009638	Norepinephrine	Precursor of epinephrine that is secreted by the ADRENAL MEDULLA and is a widespread central and autonomic neurotransmitter. Norepinephrine is the principal transmitter of most postganglionic sympathetic fibers, and of the diffuse projection system in the brain that arises from the LOCUS CERULEUS. It is also found in plants and is used pharmacologically as a sympathomimetic.	Levarterenol,Levonorepinephrine,Noradrenaline,Arterenol,Levonor,Levophed,Levophed Bitartrate,Noradrenaline Bitartrate,Noradrénaline tartrate renaudin,Norepinephrin d-Tartrate (1:1),Norepinephrine Bitartrate,Norepinephrine Hydrochloride,Norepinephrine Hydrochloride, (+)-Isomer,Norepinephrine Hydrochloride, (+,-)-Isomer,Norepinephrine d-Tartrate (1:1),Norepinephrine l-Tartrate (1:1),Norepinephrine l-Tartrate (1:1), (+,-)-Isomer,Norepinephrine l-Tartrate (1:1), Monohydrate,Norepinephrine l-Tartrate (1:1), Monohydrate, (+)-Isomer,Norepinephrine l-Tartrate (1:2),Norepinephrine l-Tartrate, (+)-Isomer,Norepinephrine, (+)-Isomer,Norepinephrine, (+,-)-Isomer
D011191	Potassium Deficiency	A condition due to decreased dietary intake of potassium, as in starvation or failure to administer in intravenous solutions, or to gastrointestinal loss in diarrhea, chronic laxative abuse, vomiting, gastric suction, or bowel diversion. Severe potassium deficiency may produce muscular weakness and lead to paralysis and respiratory failure. Muscular malfunction may result in hypoventilation, paralytic ileus, hypotension, muscle twitches, tetany, and rhabomyolysis. Nephropathy from potassium deficit impairs the concentrating mechanism, producing POLYURIA and decreased maximal urinary concentrating ability with secondary POLYDIPSIA. (Merck Manual, 16th ed)	Deficiencies, Potassium,Deficiency, Potassium,Potassium Deficiencies
D011247	Pregnancy	The status during which female mammals carry their developing young (EMBRYOS or FETUSES) in utero before birth, beginning from FERTILIZATION to BIRTH.	Gestation,Pregnancies
D011270	Pregnancy, Animal	The process of bearing developing young (EMBRYOS or FETUSES) in utero in non-human mammals, beginning from FERTILIZATION to BIRTH.	Animal Pregnancies,Animal Pregnancy,Pregnancies, Animal
D011453	Prostaglandins	A group of compounds derived from unsaturated 20-carbon fatty acids, primarily arachidonic acid, via the cyclooxygenase pathway. They are extremely potent mediators of a diverse group of physiological processes.	Prostaglandin,Prostanoid,Prostanoids
D001794	Blood Pressure	PRESSURE of the BLOOD on the ARTERIES and other BLOOD VESSELS.	Systolic Pressure,Diastolic Pressure,Pulse Pressure,Pressure, Blood,Pressure, Diastolic,Pressure, Pulse,Pressure, Systolic,Pressures, Systolic
D005260	Female		Females
D000804	Angiotensin II	An octapeptide that is a potent but labile vasoconstrictor. It is produced from angiotensin I after the removal of two amino acids at the C-terminal by ANGIOTENSIN CONVERTING ENZYME. The amino acid in position 5 varies in different species. To block VASOCONSTRICTION and HYPERTENSION effect of angiotensin II, patients are often treated with ACE INHIBITORS or with ANGIOTENSIN II TYPE 1 RECEPTOR BLOCKERS.	Angiotensin II, Ile(5)-,Angiotensin II, Val(5)-,5-L-Isoleucine Angiotensin II,ANG-(1-8)Octapeptide,Angiotensin II, Isoleucine(5)-,Angiotensin II, Valine(5)-,Angiotensin-(1-8) Octapeptide,Isoleucine(5)-Angiotensin,Isoleucyl(5)-Angiotensin II,Valyl(5)-Angiotensin II,5 L Isoleucine Angiotensin II,Angiotensin II, 5-L-Isoleucine
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D001127	Arginine Vasopressin	The predominant form of mammalian antidiuretic hormone. It is a nonapeptide containing an ARGININE at residue 8 and two disulfide-linked cysteines at residues of 1 and 6. Arg-vasopressin is used to treat DIABETES INSIPIDUS or to improve vasomotor tone and BLOOD PRESSURE.	Argipressin,Vasopressin, Arginine,Arg-Vasopressin,Argipressin Tannate,Arg Vasopressin