Nebivolol Increases Nitric Oxide Synthase via β3 Adrenergic Receptor in Endothelial Cells Following Exposure to Plasma from Preeclamptic Patients.

Background

Low bioavailability of nitric oxide (NO) is related to the pathophysiology of preeclampsia (PE). In the present study, we investigated the effect of nebivolol (NEB), a β3-receptor agonist with vasodilator properties, on the NO synthesis in endothelial cells incubated with plasma from preeclamptic patients. Methods and results: Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were incubated with plasma from healthy pregnant (HP) and PE women; NO quantification was assessed by a fluorescence compound. We found that endothelial cells incubated with plasma from women with PE show lower NO levels compared with the HP group (p < 0.0001). However, NEB treatment increases NO levels, partially, mediated by β3 adrenergic receptors (p < 0.0001) and through eNOS activation (p < 0.0001).

Conclusions

Our results suggest that NEB acts in NO synthesis through eNOS activation and β3 adrenergic receptors in the endothelium. However, further studies will be needed to understand this molecule.