Impact of dietary salicylates on angiogenic factors and biochemical parameters in a rat model of preeclampsia.

BACKGROUND: The pathophysiology of preeclampsia involves impaired cytotrophoblastic invasion, placental ischemia, inflammation, and angiogenic imbalance. Prophylactic low-dose aspirin can reduce the risk of preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction in high-risk women. This study evaluated the effect of dietary salicylates on the development of preeclampsia in rats treated with L-NAME (NG-nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester). METHODOLOGY: Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to six groups and treated with dietary salicylates at two dose levels (1 and 10 mg/kg diet) or aspirin (doses adjusted to dietary salicylates). Preeclampsia was induced by administering L-NAME in drinking water from gestational days 6-19. RESULTS: Neither dietary salicylates nor aspirin, at either dose, affected blood pressure in L-NAME-treated rats. The lower dose of dietary salicylates significantly reduced urinary albumin levels. Both interventions prevented an increase in the sFlt/PLGF ratio and mitigated histopathological placental changes in preeclamptic rats. The higher dose of aspirin reduced placental VEGFR2 protein levels. CONCLUSION: Dietary salicylate supplementation does not provide clear preventive effects against preeclampsia.