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Hormonal regulation on bioactive aortic substance (BAS) production.
E Bermejo1, N Maugeri, M Chaud
1Department of Hemostasis and Thrombosis, Instituto de Investigaciones Hematologicas Mariano R. Castex, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Thrombosis Research
|October 1, 1989
Summary
Bioactive Aortic Substance (BAS), a protein from rat blood vessels, is affected by reproductive status. Pregnancy and ovariectomy decrease BAS production, while estradiol restores it, and testosterone suppresses increased production in castrated rats.
Area of Science:
- Vascular biology
- Endocrinology
- Reproductive physiology
Background:
- The rat vessel wall synthesizes Bioactive Aortic Substance (BAS), a protein with known antiplatelet and vascular effects.
- Previous research has characterized the antiaggregating and inotropic properties of BAS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of pregnancy, gonadectomy, and hormonal replacement therapy on BAS production in rats.
- To elucidate the role of sex hormones in regulating BAS synthesis.
Main Methods:
- Rat aortic rings were used to measure BAS production.
- Experimental groups included pregnant rats, ovariectomized rats, castrated rats, and hormone-treated rats (estradiol and testosterone).
Main Results:
- BAS production was significantly reduced in pregnant and ovariectomized rats compared to controls.
- Estradiol treatment normalized BAS production in ovariectomized rats.
- Castration led to increased BAS production, which was subsequently suppressed by testosterone administration.
Conclusions:
- Reproductive status and sex hormones profoundly influence Bioactive Aortic Substance production in rats.
- Estradiol plays a key role in maintaining BAS synthesis, while testosterone appears to inhibit it.
- These findings highlight hormonal regulation of vascular factors involved in cardiovascular health.