AT1 receptor antagonism improves endothelial dysfunction in postmenopausal women

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An In Vivo Estrogen Deficiency Mouse Model for Screening Exogenous Estrogen Treatments of Cardiovascular Dysfunction After Menopause
06:18

An In Vivo Estrogen Deficiency Mouse Model for Screening Exogenous Estrogen Treatments of Cardiovascular Dysfunction After Menopause

Published on: August 13, 2019

Kerstin Wassmann1, Ardeshir Ghiassi, Sven Wassmann

  • 1Klinik für Innere Medizin III, Universitätsklinikum des Saarlandes, Homburg/Saar, Germany.

Maturitas
|June 1, 2005
PubMed

Insights

AT1 receptor antagonist candesartan improved blood vessel function in postmenopausal women lacking hormone replacement therapy. This suggests AT1 receptor blockade may prevent vascular dysfunction in estrogen-deficient women.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Science
  • Endocrinology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Menopause is linked to increased atherosclerotic disease risk.
  • Estrogen deficiency can lead to AT1 receptor overexpression and vascular dysfunction.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the effect of candesartan, a selective AT1 receptor antagonist, on endothelial function in postmenopausal women.
  • To compare candesartan's efficacy against placebo and felodipine, a calcium channel antagonist, with or without hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

Main Methods:

  • A prospective, double-blind, randomized cross-over study involving 29 postmenopausal women.
  • Assessment of endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation via forearm blood flow (FBF) measurement using venous occlusion plethysmography.
  • Comparison of 6-week treatments with candesartan (16 mg/d), felodipine (5 mg/d), or placebo.

Main Results:

  • Candesartan significantly improved FBF during reactive hyperemia in women without HRT.
  • Neither felodipine nor placebo demonstrated a significant effect on endothelial function in women without HRT.
  • No significant improvements in endothelial function were observed in patients receiving HRT across all treatment groups.

Conclusions:

  • AT1 receptor antagonism with candesartan enhances vascular function in postmenopausal women not on HRT.
  • AT1 receptor blockade presents a potential strategy for preventing vascular dysfunction in estrogen-deficient women.

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