Novel Treatments to Restore Microcascular Calcium Spark Function in Pre-eclampsia project
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
Pre-eclampsia is a leading cause of maternal and baby deaths worldwide, affecting 1 in 20 pregnancies. A devastating condition causing high blood pressure during pregnancy, it contributes to 500,000 stillbirths and 70,000 maternal deaths each year and is thought to be a factor in 1 in 8 stillbirths in the UK each year. Yet there have been no new treatments for over 20 years.
Our blood pressure is controlled by tiny muscles wrapped around our blood vessels, which carry blood around the body. These small muscles release the mineral calcium to cause a ‘calcium spark’ to open up the blood vessel which lowers blood pressure. In pre-eclampsia the blood vessels carrying blood to the placenta become narrow which increases blood pressure.
Following a Tommy’s-funded PhD in this area, which showed there is decreased calcium in the small muscles around the blood vessels in people with pre-eclampsia, Dr Luisa Parnell is carrying out further research aiming to identify new treatments to restore normal function in these small blood vessels.
Researchers at Tommy’s Maternal and Fetal Health Centre at the University of Manchester are already testing promising compounds - natural substances that help blood vessels relax - shown to improve calcium sparks and blood pressure function. Dr Parnell will now investigate whether these same compounds can restore calcium spark function and repair blood vessel defects in women with pre-eclampsia.
‘We’re incredibly grateful to Teddy’s Wish for their support of this research to date, as well as this new pledge. Together we are decoding the mysteries behind pre-eclampsia. This important work has the potential to pave the way for clinical trials and the first new treatment in over 20 years – bringing us closer to a world where more families can bring their babies home.’ Kath Abrahams, Tommy’s Chief Executive
Teddy’s Wish have contributed £36,000 to the study. We are incredibly grateful to the Flannigan family for partially funding this study in memory of their baby boy Ethan