Genistein Improves Barrier Function and Proliferation of Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells from Preeclampsia Patients

Preeclampsia (PE), which is characterized by hypertension in women who have normal blood pressure before pregnancy and is accompanied by proteinuria, edema, and major organ damage, is the major cause of the increased mortality in pregnant women and perinatal fetuses. So far, genistein is recognized as the only safe and effective natural phytoestrogen without estrogen-like adverse reactions. Recent studies show that genistein may play a significant role in controlling oxidative/nitrative stress during preeclampsia, indicating a possible beneficial role of genistein in the prevention of preeclampsia. However, the ability of genistein to prevent and treat pregnancy-induced hypertension, especially preeclampsia, is unknown. To study the effect of genistein on endothelial cell damage in preeclampsia, we isolated human umbilical vein cells (HUVEC) from 20 normal pregnant women and 40 preeclampsia patients (half treated with genistein and the other half untreated). We found that HUVEC barrier function, proliferation, nitric oxide synthesis, glutathione peroxidase activity, and Bcl-2 expression were significantly decreased in the PE group. Furthermore, 8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine levels and Bax expression were significantly increased comparing to control group. Genistein treatment reversed these changes in the PE group, suggesting that genistein reduces endothelial cell damage in preeclampsia HUVEC and providing a supporting the use of genistein for PE prevention and treatment.