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Updated: Jul 16, 2026

An In Vivo Estrogen Deficiency Mouse Model for Screening Exogenous Estrogen Treatments of Cardiovascular Dysfunction After Menopause
Published on: August 13, 2019
Menopause, estrogens, and endothelial dysfunction: current concepts
Maria Augusta Maturana1, Maria Claudia Irigoyen, Poli Mara Spritzer
1Gynecological Endocrinology Unit, Division of Endocrinology, Hospital das Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
Insights
Menopause increases cardiovascular disease risk in women, potentially due to estrogen
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Endocrinology
- Women's Health
Background:
- Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the primary cause of mortality in postmenopausal women.
- Estrogen's role in cardiovascular homeostasis and endothelial function is critical.
- Endothelial dysfunction contributes to atherosclerosis, diabetes, and hypertension.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of estrogen on cardiovascular health markers in postmenopausal women.
- To explore the relationship between estrogen, endothelial function, and atherosclerosis.
Main Methods:
- Review of studies on estrogen's effects on vascular endothelium.
- Analysis of changes in vascular tonus, inflammation, coagulation, and fibrinolysis markers.
Main Results:
- Estrogen influences circulating markers of vascular tonus and inflammation.
- Estrogen affects prothrombotic and fibrinolytic markers.
- The precise impact on atherosclerotic disease progression remains unclear.
Conclusions:
- Estrogen significantly impacts vascular homeostasis markers.
- Further research is needed to clarify estrogen's role in postmenopausal atherosclerosis.
Abstract:
Menopause is defined as the permanent cessation of menses. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among postmenopausal women in developed countries. The disparity between the incidence of cardiovascular disease among women in pre- and postmenopause has been ascribed to the actions of endogenous estrogen on the cardiovascular system and, particularly, on the vascular endothelium. The endothelium plays an important role in cardiovascular homeostasis, either through the vascular tonus and its regulation, or through coagulation and the inflammatory response. Endothelial dysfunction is implicated in the genesis of atherosclerosis and other chronic disorders, such as diabetes mellitus and hypertension. The pharmacological use of estrogen exerts influence on the circulating levels of markers of vascular tonus, and inflammation, as well as prothrombotic, and fibrinolytic markers, but the impact of these changes on the atherosclerotic disease is still uncertain.
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