Inhibitory effects of methylxanthines on the pre-eclamptic-like symptoms in ewes.

OBJECTIVE

Our objective was to determine whether two methylxanthines, pentoxifylline (PTX) and allopurinol, would have beneficial effects on experimental pregnancy-induced pre-eclampsia- like disease in ewes.

STUDY

DESIGN

20 animals at the gestational age of 130-135 days were divided into four groups (control; fasting; fasting, pentoxifylline-treated; and fasting, allopurinol-treated). The illness was provoked with a 4-day fasting period. Electrolytes, glucose, conventional parameters, plasma haem content, indirect bilirubin concentration and free thiol levels were measured.

RESULTS

Unlike in the fasting group, conventional signs of the disease, such as hypertension, kidney and liver injury and platelet count decrease, were all mitigated in the fasting, drug-treated animals. In the treated animals plasma haem content increased by a less significant level, while indirect bilirubin concentration showed a more rapid rise.

CONCLUSIONS

Both methylxanthines partly inhibited the pre-eclamptic-like symptoms in ewes. We speculate that the better induction of haem oxygenase might play an important role in this inhibitory effect on this particular animal model.