Effects of low molecular heparin sodium on HPA and MMP-9 expression in tissues and serum of hypertensive pregnant rats

Pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) is one pregnant related disease. Heparanase (HPA) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) are important degradation enzymes of extracellular matrix. This study established PIH rat model, on which low molecular heparin sodium was applied to analyze its effect on HPA and MMP-9 expression. SPF grade healthy Wistar rats were generated for PIH model using nitro L arginine methyl ester (L-NAME). Low molecular heparin sodium was intraperitoneally injected in experimental group, in parallel with normal pregnant rats in control group. Average artery pressure and urea protein levels were measured. Expression of HPA and MMP-9 in serum and placental tissues were measured by ELISA and IHA method, respectively. The correlation between HPA, MMP-9 and PIH was analyzed. Experimental group had lower artery pressure and urea protein levels than model group but higher than blank control group (P<0.05). Serum and placental levels of HPA and MMP-9 were higher in experimental group compared to model group and were lower than blank control group (P<0.05). HPA was positively correlated with MMP-9 expression (P<0.05). Low molecular heparin sodium can decrease average artery pressure and urea protein level in PIH rats, and elevated serum and tissue levels of HPA and MMP-9 in PIH rats, thus exerting certain treatment effects.