| Summary: | Background: Low bioavailability of nitric oxide (NO) is related to the pathophysiology of preeclampsia (PE). In the present study, we investigated the effect of nebivolol (NEB), a β<sub>3</sub>-receptor agonist with vasodilator properties, on the NO synthesis in endothelial cells incubated with plasma from preeclamptic patients. Methods and results: Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were incubated with plasma from healthy pregnant (HP) and PE women; NO quantification was assessed by a fluorescence compound. We found that endothelial cells incubated with plasma from women with PE show lower NO levels compared with the HP group (<i>p</i> < 0.0001). However, NEB treatment increases NO levels, partially, mediated by β<sub>3</sub> adrenergic receptors (<i>p</i> < 0.0001) and through eNOS activation (<i>p</i> < 0.0001). Conclusions: Our results suggest that NEB acts in NO synthesis through eNOS activation and β<sub>3</sub> adrenergic receptors in the endothelium. However, further studies will be needed to understand this molecule.
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