Acute administration of 17beta-estradiol reduces endothelin-1 release during pacing-induced ischemia

Giuseppe M C Rosano1, Otavio Gebara, Imad Sheiban

  • 1Cardiovascular Research Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Roma, Via della Pisana, 235 00163, Roma, Italy. giuseppe.rosano@sanraffaele.it

Insights

Acute 17beta-estradiol administration effectively reduces cardiac endothelin-1 release in postmenopausal women with coronary artery disease. This finding suggests a potential therapeutic benefit of estrogen in managing myocardial ischemia.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Endocrinology
  • Reproductive Medicine
  • Vascular Biology

Background:

  • Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is implicated in myocardial ischemia and adverse events in coronary artery disease (CAD).
  • Estrogens are known to lower ET-1 levels and improve stress-induced ischemia in postmenopausal women with CAD.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine if acute 17beta-estradiol administration reduces pacing-induced cardiac release of endothelin-1 in postmenopausal women with CAD.
  • To evaluate the impact of 17beta-estradiol on myocardial ischemia onset during pacing.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study involving 22 postmenopausal women with confirmed CAD.
  • Measurement of endothelin-1 in coronary sinus and aorta at baseline and during incremental pacing before and after sublingual administration of 17beta-estradiol or placebo.

Main Results:

  • 17beta-estradiol significantly delayed the onset of myocardial ischemia during pacing compared to placebo.
  • Estradiol administration led to a significant reduction in coronary sinus endothelin-1 levels at peak pacing.
  • No significant changes in endothelin-1 levels were observed in the placebo group.

Conclusions:

  • Acute 17beta-estradiol administration effectively reduces pacing-induced cardiac endothelin-1 release in postmenopausal women with CAD.
  • This effect may contribute to the hormone's anti-ischemic properties, potentially through direct effects on myocyte peptide release.
Abstract