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The hypertensive potential of estrogen: An untold story

Manal Fardoun1, Hassan Dehaini2, Abdallah Shaito3

  • 1Department of Biology, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon.

Vascular Pharmacology
|October 21, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Estrogen

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology and cardiovascular research.

Background:

  • Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of death globally.
  • Estrogen's role in CVD, particularly hypertension, is complex and debated.
  • While often linked to cardioprotection, estrogen may also cause vasoconstriction.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the dual role of estrogen in regulating blood pressure.
  • To explore molecular mechanisms behind estrogen's vasorelaxant and vasoconstrictive effects.
  • To identify factors influencing estrogen's impact on vascular tone.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on estrogen and cardiovascular function.
  • Analysis of molecular pathways involving estrogen and nitric oxide synthase-1 (nNOS).
  • Discussion of evidence for both vasodilatory and vasoconstrictive estrogen actions.

Main Results:

  • Estrogen exhibits a "yin-yang" effect on blood pressure regulation.
  • Estrogen's impact depends on the microenvironment and nNOS activity.
  • Nitric oxide production leads to vasodilation, while superoxide leads to vasoconstriction.

Conclusions:

  • Estrogen's role in hypertension is multifaceted, not solely protective.
  • Understanding the signaling pathways is crucial for managing estrogen's cardiovascular effects.
  • Further research is needed to clarify estrogen's complex influence on vascular tone.

Keywords:
17β-estradiolBlood pressureEstrogenHypertensionVascular smooth muscle cellsVasoconstrictionVasodilation

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