Aromatase enzyme: Paving the way for exploring aromatization for cardio-renal protection

Manar A Eissa1, Eman Y Gohar2

  • 1Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Merit University, New Sohag, Sohag, Egypt.

Insights

Aromatase, the enzyme converting androgens to estrogens, may offer cardio-renal protection. Inhibiting this enzyme is linked to cardiovascular events, suggesting its protective role.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Cardiovascular Science
  • Nephrology

Background:

  • Estrogens mediate cardio-renal protection via estrogen receptors (ERα, ERβ) and G protein-coupled estrogen receptor, interacting with the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system.
  • Aromatase (estrogen synthase) is crucial for androgen-to-estrogen conversion in gonadal and extra-gonadal sites.

Approach:

  • Review of scientific literature on aromatase function.
  • Analysis of meta-analysis studies on cardiovascular events linked to aromatase inhibitors.
  • Examination of the role of aromatization in cardio-renal protection.

Key Points:

  • Aromatase inhibitors, used for estrogen-related pathologies, are associated with increased cardiovascular events.
  • Estrogen's protective effects on cardiovascular and renal systems are well-documented.
  • Aromatization is a key process in estrogen biosynthesis.

Conclusions:

  • Aromatase plays a fundamental role in cardio-renal protection.
  • Further research into aromatase's mechanisms could reveal novel therapeutic targets.
  • Understanding aromatase function is critical for managing cardiovascular and chronic kidney diseases.

Related Concept Videos

Heart Failure Drugs: Inhibitors of Renin-Angiotensin System01:26

Heart 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...
438
Allosteric Proteins-ATCase01:19

Allosteric Proteins-ATCase

Binding sites linkages can regulate a protein's function.  For example, enzyme activity is often regulated through a feedback mechanism where the end product of the biochemical process serves as an inhibitor.
Aspartate transcarbamoylase (ATCase) is a cytosolic enzyme that catalyzes the condensation of L-aspartate and carbamoyl phosphate to  N-carbamoyl-L-aspartate. This reaction is the first step in pyrimidine biosynthesis. UTP and CTP, the end products of the pyrimidine synthesis...
5.8K
Antihypertensive Drugs: Direct Renin Inhibitors01:25

Antihypertensive 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,...
648
Transducer Mechanism: Enzyme-Linked Receptors01:27

Transducer Mechanism: Enzyme-Linked Receptors

Enzyme-linked receptors are cell-surface receptors acting as an enzyme or associating with an enzyme intracellularly. They make excellent drug targets. Drugs can bind to the extracellular ligand-binding domain or directly affect their enzymatic domain and alter their activity.
Major types that are helpful drug targets include:
2.5K
Antihypertensive Drugs: Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors01:30

Antihypertensive Drugs: Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), a vital component of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, is abundant in lung endothelial cells. ACE converts the inactive decapeptide, angiotensin I, into the active octapeptide, angiotensin II. This potent vasoconstrictor narrows blood vessels, increasing resistance to blood flow and elevating blood pressure. Angiotensin II also stimulates aldosterone production, encouraging kidney cells to reabsorb more sodium and water from urine, thereby increasing...
659
Radical Autoxidation01:20

Radical Autoxidation

The oxidation of an organic compound in the presence of air or oxygen is called autoxidation. For example, cumene reacts with oxygen to form hydroperoxide. Autoxidation involves initiation, propagation, and termination steps. Many organic compounds are susceptible to autoxidation—especially ethers in the presence of oxygen, which form hydroperoxides. Even though this reaction is slow, old ether bottles contain small amounts of peroxide, which leads to laboratory explosions during ether...
2.2K