Tadalafil treatment in mice for preeclampsia with fetal growth restriction has neuro-benefic effects in offspring through modulating prenatal hypoxic conditions

We have demonstrated that tadalafil facilitates fetal growth in mice with L-NG-nitroarginine methyl ester (L-NAME)-induced preeclampsia (PE) with fetal growth restriction (FGR). Tadalafil is a selective phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor that dilates the maternal blood sinuses in the placenta, thereby facilitating the growth of the fetus. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of tadalafil treatment for PE and FGR on the developing brain in FGR offspring using an L-NAME-induced mouse model of PE with FGR. A control group of dams received carboxymethylcellulose (CMC). L-NAME-treated groups received L-NAME dissolved in CMC from 11 days post coitum (d.p.c.). The L-NAME-treated dams were divided into two subgroups 14 d.p.c. One subgroup continued to receive L-NAME. The other subgroup received L-NAME with tadalafil suspended in CMC. Tadalafil treatment for PE with FGR reduced the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-2 alpha in the placenta and in the brain of the FGR fetus. Moreover, tadalafil treatment in utero shows improved synaptogenesis and myelination in FGR offspring on postnatal day 15 (P15) and P30. These results suggest that tadalafil treatment for PE with FGR not only facilitates fetal growth, but also has neuroprotective effects on the developing brain of FGR offspring through modulating prenatal hypoxic conditions.