Effect of epidural block on 24-hour urine protein in pregnant rat models with preeclampsia.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of epidural block on 24-hour urine protein in rat with preeclampsia (PE). METHODS: Thirty healthy pregnant Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups (each group with 10 rats). From the 14th day of pregnancy, the rats in Group A were given subcutaneous normal saline (0.5 ml) every day in a total of 7 days; the rats in Group B were given subcutaneous L: -nitroarginomethyl ester (L: -NAME) (50 mg) every day in a total of 7 days; and the rats in Group C both were given subcutaneous L: -NAME (50 mg) every day and underwent epidural block with 25 µl of 0.125 % bupivacaine twice every day all in a total of 7 days. The 24-hour urine protein and systolic blood pressure on the 13th and 20th day of pregnancy were measured. RESULTS: On the 13th day of pregnancy, there was no statistical significant difference in 24-hour urine protein and systolic blood pressure between the three groups (P > 0.05). On the 20th day of pregnancy, 24-hour urine protein and systolic blood pressure all were higher in Group B and C than in Group A (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05)) and all were lower in Group C than in Group B (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Epidural block can decrease 24-hour urine protein and systolic blood pressure in pregnant rat models with PE. This study provides a potential strategy for treatment of PE.