Acute gender-specific hemodynamic and inotropic effects of 17beta-estradiol on rats

Estrogen has cardioprotective effects. In addition to beneficial effects on lipid metabolism, estrogen affects the vascular tone and may reduce endothelial dysfunction. In the present study, we examined acute gender-specific hemodynamic and inotropic effects of 17beta-estradiol (17beta-E) versus the control situation in open-chest rats. In addition to measurements in the intact circulation, myocardial function was examined on the basis of isovolumic registration independent of peripheral vascular effects. Regarding the dose-dependent and gender-specific effects of 17beta-E, in female rats, 17beta-E (50, 100, or 200 ng/kg) increased cardiac output (CO) (26%, 43%, and 59% versus control animals) as a result of reduction in total peripheral resistance (TPR) (-13%, -18%, and -24%) without any effect on myocardial contractility (isovolumic left ventricular systolic pressure, -1%, 0%, and -6%). These vascular effects are less pronounced in male rats (for 200 ng/kg 17beta-E: CO, 34%; TPR, -14%). We investigated gender-specific effects of 200 ng/kg 17beta-E after pretreatment with the estrogen receptor (ER) antagonist ICI 182,780. ER blockade reduced the effects of estrogen in female rats (CO, 29%; TPR, -17%) and male rats (CO, 19%; TPR, -11%). Regarding the effects of 200 ng/kg 17beta-E after pretreatment with N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, NO synthesis inhibition completely prevented the acute vascular effects of estrogen in female rats (CO, -4%; TPR, 1%). In addition, immunohistochemical staining revealed no gender-specific differences of the vascular ER distribution. 17beta-E caused an acute dose-dependent and gender-specific reduction in the afterload. ERs are involved in both genders in this vasodilative effect that is mediated by NO. This NO-mediated effect may explain in part the cardioprotective effect of estrogen.