Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 7, 2026
06:18
An In Vivo Estrogen Deficiency Mouse Model for Screening Exogenous Estrogen Treatments of Cardiovascular Dysfunction After Menopause
Published on: August 13, 2019
Raloxifene temporarily reduces arterial stiffness
Satoshi Obayashi1, Masakazu Terauchi, Kiyoko Kato
1Department of Comprehensive Reproductive Medicine, Graduate school, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan. s.obayashi.gyne@tmd.ac.jp
The Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research
|November 3, 2010
Summary
Raloxifene (RLX) significantly reduced cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI), a measure of aortic stiffness, within six months in postmenopausal women. This effect was more pronounced in younger individuals, indicating potential benefits for cardiovascular risk management.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Gerontology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Aortic stiffness is a key cardiovascular risk factor.
- Cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) estimates vascular stiffness, independent of blood pressure.
- Raloxifene (RLX) is a medication used for osteoporosis and potentially cardiovascular health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the one-year change in CAVI during raloxifene (RLX) treatment.
- To assess RLX's impact on vascular stiffness in postmenopausal women.
Main Methods:
- Forty-eight women were studied: 22 on RLX (60 mg/day) for osteopenia/osteoporosis, and 26 healthy controls.
- CAVI and ankle-brachial index were measured at baseline, 6, and 12 months.
- Age-adjusted CAVI was compared between groups and over time.
Main Results:
- RLX group showed a significant CAVI reduction at 6 months, returning to baseline by 12 months.
- Control group had no significant change in age-adjusted CAVI.
- Younger women (50-59 years) in the RLX group exhibited a greater CAVI reduction.
- Ankle-brachial index changes suggested no increased arterial stenosis risk.
Conclusions:
- Raloxifene treatment effectively reduces aortic stiffness (CAVI) in postmenopausal women.
- The vascular benefits of RLX are more pronounced in younger individuals within the studied age range.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Antianginal Drugs: Calcium Channel Blockers and Ranolazine
Angina pectoris, a primary symptom of ischemic heart disease, requires careful pharmacological interventions. In this context, calcium channel blockers (CCBs) and ranolazine have emerged as crucial pharmacotherapeutic agents, providing deep insights into the complexities of angina management.
CCBs, a diverse class that includes dihydropyridines (nifedipine) and diphenylalkylamines (verapamil and diltiazem), exert their effect by blocking calcium channels in cardiac and smooth muscle cells. This...
CCBs, a diverse class that includes dihydropyridines (nifedipine) and diphenylalkylamines (verapamil and diltiazem), exert their effect by blocking calcium channels in cardiac and smooth muscle cells. This...
01:26Heart Failure Drugs: Inhibitors of Renin-Angiotensin System
The activation of the sympathetic nervous system and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) contributes to cardiac remodeling, and inhibiting the RAAS is a pharmacological target in heart failure management. As a result, neurohumoral modulation is a crucial treatment principle for managing heart failure. This approach involves using medications like ACE inhibitors (ACEIs), angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), β-blockers, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs), and neutral...
01:26Atherosclerosis III: Management
Management of atherosclerosis involves an integrated strategy encompassing pharmacological treatment, surgical interventions, lifestyle changes, and nutrition therapy to address the multifactorial nature of the disease.Pharmacological TherapyA cornerstone of atherosclerosis management is the use of pharmacological agents. Statins, such as atorvastatin, are pivotal in inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, an enzyme that catalyzes an initial step in cholesterol synthesis in the liver. This reduction in...
01:23Antihypertensive Drugs: Vasodilators
Vasodilators, primarily affecting the smooth muscles within arterial and venous walls, are commonly used for hypertension treatment. Medications such as minoxidil and hydralazine primarily target arteries and arterioles, while sodium nitroprusside acts on arterioles and venules. Minoxidil, functioning as a prodrug, is metabolized by hepatic sulfotransferase into its active form, minoxidil sulfate, after oral administration. This metabolite binds to the sulfonylurea receptor (SUR) component of...
01:25Antihypertensive Drugs: Direct Renin Inhibitors
The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) is an intricate physiological pathway involving numerous enzymes and hormones, including renin, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), angiotensin I and II, and aldosterone. Imbalances within this system increase the production of angiotensin II and aldosterone. Increased angiotensin II levels promote vasoconstriction and blood pressure elevation. Concurrently, higher aldosterone levels stimulate sodium and water reabsorption in the kidneys,...
01:23Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Prostacyclin Receptor Agonists
Prostacyclin receptor agonists are a class of therapeutic agents integral to managing pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). These drugs operate by mimicking the action of prostaglandin I2, or PGI2, a naturally occurring compound in the body.
These agonists bind to the IPR receptor situated on the plasma membrane of the pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells. This binding triggers a cascade of reactions known as the GS-AC-cAMP-PKA pathway. This pathway results in the relaxation of smooth muscle...
These agonists bind to the IPR receptor situated on the plasma membrane of the pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells. This binding triggers a cascade of reactions known as the GS-AC-cAMP-PKA pathway. This pathway results in the relaxation of smooth muscle...