Results
Title

Estrogen and estrogen receptors in cardiovascular oxidative stress.

Authors

Arias-Loza, Paula-Anahi; Muehlfelder, Melanie; Pelzer, Theo

Abstract

The cardiovascular system of a premenopausal woman is prepared to adapt to the challenges of increased cardiac output and work load that accompany pregnancy. Thus, it is tempting to speculate whether enhanced adaptability of the female cardiovascular system might be advantageous under conditions that promote cardiovascular disease. In support of this concept, 17β-estradiol as the major female sex hormone has been shown to confer protective cardiovascular effects in experimental studies. Mechanistically, these have been partially linked to the prevention and protection against oxidative stress. Current evidence indicates that estrogens attenuate oxidative stress at two levels: first, by preventing generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and, second, by scavenging ROS in the myocardium and in the vasculature. The purpose of this review is to give an overview on current concepts on conditions and mechanisms by which estrogens protect the cardiovascular system against ROS-mediated cellular injury.

Subjects

ESTROGEN receptors; OXIDATIVE stress; REACTIVE oxygen species; PERIMENOPAUSE; PREGNANCY; CARDIOVASCULAR diseases; SEX hormones

Publication

Pflügers Archiv: European Journal of Physiology, 2013, Vol 465, Issue 5, p739

ISSN

0031-6768

Publication type

Academic Journal

DOI

10.1007/s00424-013-1247-7