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An In Vivo Estrogen Deficiency Mouse Model for Screening Exogenous Estrogen Treatments of Cardiovascular Dysfunction After Menopause
Published on: August 13, 2019
Estrogen, hormonal replacement therapy and cardiovascular disease
Xiao-Ping Yang1, Jane F Reckelhoff
1Hypertension & Vascular Research Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Henry Ford Hospital, 2799 West Grand Boulevard, Detroit, MI 48202-2689, USA. xpyang1@hfhs.org
Current Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension
|December 24, 2010
Summary
Estrogen offers cardiovascular protection in women, but hormone replacement therapy (HRT) benefits remain unclear. Timing, type, and dosage of HRT are crucial factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk reduction in postmenopausal women.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular endocrinology
- Women's cardiovascular health
Background:
- Premenopausal women exhibit lower hypertension and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk than age-matched men.
- This sex-based cardiovascular advantage diminishes post-menopause, suggesting a cardioprotective role for sex hormones.
- However, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) trials have not consistently confirmed cardioprotection in postmenopausal women.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review factors contributing to the divergent outcomes of HRT in women's cardiovascular health.
- To elucidate the reasons behind premenopausal women's CVD protection and the lack of HRT benefit in postmenopausal women.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent findings on estrogen receptors and signaling pathways.
- Analysis of Women's Health Initiative (WHI) studies and HRT parameters.
Main Results:
- Identification of a third estrogen receptor, GPR30, alongside ERα and ERβ.
- Emerging evidence suggests estrogen's cardiovascular protective effects involve new intracellular signaling pathways.
- Initiating HRT closer to menopause in younger postmenopausal women may reduce CVD risk.
- HRT outcomes are influenced by dosage, duration, estrogen type, and route of administration.
Conclusions:
- Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) remains a controversial topic in women's health.
- Further research is essential to reconcile conflicting findings on HRT and CVD.
- Developing novel therapeutic strategies is necessary to enhance the quality of life for women.
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