NOS3 and Hypertension: The increase in sFlt-1 affects the release of endothelin-1, a potent vasoconstrictor, and also inhibits the phosphorylation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in pre-eclamptic women, which may increase sensitivity to vasoconstriction and sensitivity to angiotensin II, both of which may eventually lead to hypertension [48,49].