Augusto Antunes Oliveira Fraga da Silva

Mr. Augusto Antunes Oliveira Fraga da Silva

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

1Year (2026-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

View All Publications
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
MSMaria Luiza Santos da Silva
Maria Luiza Santos da Silva
CTCristal de Jesus Toghi
Cristal de Jesus Toghi
ASAugusto Antunes Oliveira Fraga da Silva
Augusto Antunes Oliveira Fraga da Silva
HSHellen Cristiny Cavalcanti de Souza
Hellen Cristiny Cavalcanti de Souza
BJBeatriz Dragoneti Jorge
Beatriz Dragoneti Jorge
CDCarlos A Dias-Junior
Carlos A Dias-Junior
Preeclampsia is a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy associated with elevated levels of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) and reduced nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability. Esomeprazole (ESO), a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) considered safe during pregnancy, has been proposed to reduce sFlt-1 levels in vitro. This study evaluated the effects of ESO in pregnant rats subjected to reduced uterine perfusion pressure (RUPP), a well-established model of preeclampsia. Pregnant rats received saline (Preg) or ESO (Preg+ESO), while RUPP-operated rats received saline (RUPP) or ESO (RUPP+ESO). At gestational day 21, maternal blood pressure was elevated in the Preg+ESO, RUPP, and RUPP+ESO groups compared with Preg, and ESO did not attenuate RUPP-induced hypertension. Fetal and placental weights were reduced in the RUPP group, whereas ESO increased placental weight in Preg+ESO and RUPP+ESO groups. Gastric pH was elevated by ESO, confirming reduced gastric acidity. Plasma sFlt-1 levels were increased in RUPP and significantly reduced by ESO in RUPP+ESO rats. NO metabolites (NOx) were decreased in RUPP but were unaffected by treatment. Endothelium-dependent relaxation was impaired in the RUPP and RUPP+ESO groups. In conclusion, ESO did not prevent hypertension or endothelial dysfunction, but reduced circulating sFlt-1, suggesting a partial modulatory effect on angiogenic imbalance in experimental preeclampsia.