Cellular mechanisms underlying the cardiovascular actions of oestrogens

2006 ◽  
Vol 111 (2) ◽  
pp. 107-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shanhong Ling ◽  
Paul Komesaroff ◽  
Krishnankutty Sudhir

Although pre-menopausal women enjoy relative cardiovascular protection, hormone (oestrogen±progestin)-replacement therapy has not shown cardiovascular benefits in post-menopausal women, suggesting that the effects of oestrogens on the cardiovascular system are much more complex than previously expected. Endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, cardiac myocytes and fibroblasts, the cellular components of blood vessels and the heart, play important roles in cardiovascular health and disease. During the development and progression of cardiovascular disease, changes occur both in the structure and function of these cells, resulting in a wide range of abnormalities, which affect growth, death and physiological function. These cells contain functional oestrogen receptors and are targets for oestrogen action. This review focuses on recent studies on the effects of oestrogen on cardiovascular cell function. Oestrogens, particularly 17β-oestradiol, exert multiple effects on cardiovascular cells, and these effects may contribute to the gender-associated protection against cardiovascular diseases.

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nermin S. Ahmed ◽  
Marek Samec ◽  
Alena Liskova ◽  
Peter Kubatka ◽  
Luciano Saso

AbstractTamoxifen is the gold standard drug for the treatment of breast cancer in pre and post-menopausal women. Its journey from a failing contraceptive to a blockbuster is an example of pharmaceutical innovation challenges. Tamoxifen has a wide range of pharmacological activities; a drug that was initially thought to work via a simple Estrogen receptor (ER) mechanism was proven to mediate its activity through several non-ER mechanisms. Here in we review the previous literature describing ER and non-ER targets of tamoxifen, we highlighted the overlooked connection between tamoxifen, tamoxifen apoptotic effects and oxidative stress.


2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Petra Mohácsik ◽  
Anikó Zeöld ◽  
Antonio C. Bianco ◽  
Balázs Gereben

Thyroid hormone plays a crucial role in the development and function of the nervous system. In order to bind to its nuclear receptor and regulate gene transcription thyroxine needs to be activated in the brain. This activation occurs via conversion of thyroxine to T3, which is catalyzed by the type 2 iodothyronine deiodinase (D2) in glial cells, in astrocytes, and tanycytes in the mediobasal hypothalamus. We discuss how thyroid hormone affects glial cell function followed by an overview on the fine-tuned regulation of T3 generation by D2 in different glial subtypes. Recent evidence on the direct paracrine impact of glial D2 on neuronal gene expression underlines the importance of glial-neuronal interaction in thyroid hormone regulation as a major regulatory pathway in the brain in health and disease.


2018 ◽  
Vol 120 (8) ◽  
pp. 863-871 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui Ma ◽  
Huandong Lin ◽  
Yu Hu ◽  
Xiaoming Li ◽  
Wanyuan He ◽  
...  

AbstractAssociations between ferritin and insulin sensitivity have been described in recent studies. The possible association showed conflicting results by sex and menopausal status. We aimed to investigate the cross-sectional association of ferritin levels with insulin resistance and β-cell function. A total of 2518 participants (1033 men, 235 pre-menopausal women and 1250 post-menopausal women) were enrolled from the Changfeng Study. A standard interview was conducted, as well as anthropometric measurements and laboratory analyses, for each participant. The serum ferritin level was measured using electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. Insulin resistance and β-cell function indices were derived from a homeostasis model assessment. The results showed that the serum ferritin levels were 250·4 (sd 165·2), 94·6 (sd 82·0) and 179·8 (sd 126·6) ng/ml in the men, pre-menopausal and post-menopausal women, respectively. In fully adjusted models (adjusting for age, current smoking, BMI, waist:hip ratio, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, TAG, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, log urine albumin:creatinine ratio, leucocytes, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase), serum ferritin concentrations are significantly associated with insulin resistance in men and post-menopausal females, and the null association was observed in pre-menopausal females. Interestingly, an increased β-cell function associated with higher ferritin was observed in post-menopausal participants, but not in male participants. In conclusion, these results suggested that elevated serum ferritin levels were associated with surrogate measures of insulin resistance among the middle-aged and elderly male and post-menopausal women, but not in pre-menopausal women.


2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 44-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sadia Khanduker ◽  
Rumana Ahmed ◽  
Mafruha Nazneen ◽  
Anawarul Alam ◽  
Farhana Khondokar

Background: Menopausal health in our environment has received little attention. As a independent risk factor for dyslipidemia, the degree and pattern of derangement, though difficult to assess may adversely affect the cardiovascular health of our women.Objectives: To estimate the serum lipid profile and the atherogenic index of plasma among the pre and post- menopausal women.Materials and Methods: After an overnight fasting blood samples were collected from a group of 339 women, 140 premenopausal aged between 25-50 years and 199 postmenopausal aged between 51-70 years. Serum total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG) and HDL-cholesterol were estimated by enzymatic methods and LDL-cholesterol by established mathematical methods. Atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) were calculated by using the formula (logTG/HDL-C). Statistical analysis was carried out in the two groups using the unpaired t test. Results were expressed as mean±SD. P values <0.05 were considered to be statistically significant.Results: There were statistically significant increase in serum TC (191.21±45.50 mg/dl), TG (185.83± 111.83 mg/dl) and LDL-C (118.71±38.48 mg/dl) in post-menopausal women. Their HDL-C level (38.67±10.00mg/dl) was significantly decreased. The calculated atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) was significantly higher (0.63±0.27) in post-menopausal women as compared to that in premenopausal women (0.50±0.29).Conclusion: Menopause leads to changes in lipid profile. By elevating LDL and the reduction of cardioprotective HDL is an indication that menopause is an independent risk factor for developing cardiovascular disease. These changes are caused by loss of cardio-protective effect of oestrogen.Anwer Khan Modern Medical College Journal Vol. 9, No. 1: Jan 2018, P 44-49


2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
H. J. Hillstrom ◽  
R. Soeters ◽  
M. Miranda ◽  
S. I. Backus ◽  
J. Hafer ◽  
...  

Abstract Summary The purpose was to determine if increasing serum 25(OH)D and calcium in postmenopausal women increased skeletal muscle size, strength, balance, and functional task performance while decreasing muscle fatigue. PCSA of the vastus lateralis increased and ascent of stairs time decreased after 6 months of increased serum 25(OH)D. Purpose The Institute of Medicine recommends ≥ 20 ng/ml of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] for bone and overall health. Serum 25(OH)D levels have been associated with physical performance, postural sway, and falls. The purpose of this study was to determine if increasing postmenopausal women’s serum 25(OH)D levels from 20–30 ng/ml to 40–50 ng/ml improved skeletal muscle size, strength, balance, and functional performance while decreasing skeletal muscle fatigue. Methods Twenty-six post-menopausal women (60–85 years old) with baseline serum 25(OH)D levels between 20 and 30 ng/ml were recruited. Oral over-the-counter (OTC) vitamin D3 and calcium citrate were prescribed to increase subjects’ serum 25(OH)D to levels between 40 and 50 ng/ml, serum calcium levels above 9.2 mg/dl, and PTH levels below 60 pg/ml, which were confirmed at 6 and 12 weeks. Outcome measures assessed at baseline and 6 months included muscle physiological cross-sectional area (PCSA), muscle strength, postural balance, time to perform functional tasks, and muscle fatigue. Repeated measures comparisons between baseline and follow-up were performed. Results Nineteen subjects completed the study. One individual could not afford the time commitment for the repeated measures. Three individuals did not take their vitamin D as recommended. Two subjects were lost to follow-up (lack of interest), and one did not achieve targeted serum 25(OH)D. Vastus lateralis PCSA increased (p = 0.007) and ascent of stair time decreased (p = 0.042) after 6 months of increasing serum 25(OH)D levels from 20–30 ng/ml to 40–50 ng/ml. Isometric strength was unchanged. Anterior-posterior center of pressure (COP) excursion and COP path length decreased (p < 0.1) albeit non-significantly, suggesting balance may improve from increased serum 25(OH)D and calcium citrate levels. Conclusions Several measures of muscle structure and function were sensitive to elevated serum 25(OH)D and calcium levels indicating that further investigation of this phenomenon in post-menopausal women is warranted.


2005 ◽  
Vol 289 (6) ◽  
pp. H2291-H2301 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allen M. Samarel

Mechanotransduction refers to the cellular mechanisms by which load-bearing cells sense physical forces, transduce the forces into biochemical signals, and generate appropriate responses leading to alterations in cellular structure and function. This process affects the beat-to-beat regulation of cardiac performance but also affects the proliferation, differentiation, growth, and survival of the cellular components that comprise the human myocardium. This review focuses on the experimental evidence indicating that the costamere and its structurally related structure the focal adhesion complex are critical cytoskeletal elements involved in cardiomyocyte mechanotransduction. Biochemical signals originating from the extracellular matrix-integrin-costameric protein complex share many common features with those signals generated by growth factor receptors. The roles of key regulatory kinases and other muscle-specific proteins involved in mechanotransduction and growth factor signaling are discussed, and issues requiring further study in this field are outlined.


Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 126
Author(s):  
Annalisa Bosi ◽  
Davide Banfi ◽  
Michela Bistoletti ◽  
Paola Moretto ◽  
Elisabetta Moro ◽  
...  

The commensal microbiota plays a fundamental role in maintaining host gut homeostasis by controlling several metabolic, neuronal and immune functions. Conversely, changes in the gut microenvironment may alter the saprophytic microbial community and function, hampering the positive relationship with the host. In this bidirectional interplay between the gut microbiota and the host, hyaluronan (HA), an unbranched glycosaminoglycan component of the extracellular matrix, has a multifaceted role. HA is fundamental for bacterial metabolism and influences bacterial adhesiveness to the mucosal layer and diffusion across the epithelial barrier. In the host, HA may be produced and distributed in different cellular components within the gut microenvironment, playing a role in the modulation of immune and neuronal responses. This review covers the more recent studies highlighting the relevance of HA as a putative modulator of the communication between luminal bacteria and the host gut neuro-immune axis both in health and disease conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease and ischemia/reperfusion injury.


Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 3596
Author(s):  
Kelly S. Otsuka ◽  
Christopher Nielson ◽  
Matthew A. Firpo ◽  
Albert H. Park ◽  
Anna E. Beaudin

Emerging evidence indicates that perinatal infection and inflammation can influence the developing immune system and may ultimately affect long-term health and disease outcomes in offspring by perturbing tissue and immune homeostasis. We posit that perinatal inflammation influences immune outcomes in offspring by perturbing (1) the development and function of fetal-derived immune cells that regulate tissue development and homeostasis, and (2) the establishment and function of developing hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) that continually generate immune cells across the lifespan. To disentangle the complexities of these interlinked systems, we propose the cochlea as an ideal model tissue to investigate how perinatal infection affects immune, tissue, and stem cell development. The cochlea contains complex tissue architecture and a rich immune milieu that is established during early life. A wide range of congenital infections cause cochlea dysfunction and sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), likely attributable to early life inflammation. Furthermore, we show that both immune cells and bone marrow hematopoietic progenitors can be simultaneously analyzed within neonatal cochlear samples. Future work investigating the pathogenesis of SNHL in the context of congenital infection will therefore provide critical information on how perinatal inflammation drives disease susceptibility in offspring.


eLife ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Varun Kamat ◽  
Brian M Robbings ◽  
Seung-Ryoung Jung ◽  
John Kelly ◽  
James B Hurley ◽  
...  

Oxygen (O2) and other dissolved gases such as the gasotransmitters H2S, CO and NO affect cell metabolism and function. To evaluate effects of dissolved gases on processes in tissue, we developed a fluidics system that controls dissolved gases while simultaneously measuring parameters of electron transport, metabolism and secretory function. We use pancreatic islets, retina and liver from rodents to highlight its ability to assess effects of O2 and H2S. Protocols aimed at emulating hypoxia-reperfusion conditions resolved a previously unrecognized transient spike in O2 consumption rate (OCR) following replenishment of O2, and tissue-specific recovery of OCR following hypoxia. The system revealed both inhibitory and stimulatory effects of H2S on insulin secretion rate from isolated islets. The unique ability of this new system to quantify metabolic state and cell function in response to precise changes in dissolved gases provides a powerful platform for cell physiologists to study a wide range of disease states.


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