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Estrogen blocks homocysteine-induced endothelial dysfunction in porcine coronary arteries(1,2)

Spencer TA, Chai H, Fu W, Ramaswami G, Cox MW, Conklin BS, Lin PH, Lumsden AB et al.

The Journal of surgical research, 2004

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to examine the effect of estrogen combined with homocysteine on vasomotor function and endothelial integrity in intact porcine coronary arteries.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pig coronary artery rings were incubated with estrogen, homocysteine, or estrogen and homocysteine for 24 h. Myographic analysis was performed with thromboxane A2 analog U46619 for contraction and bradykinin or sodium nitroprusside for relaxation. Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) levels were determined by immunohistochemistry. Levels of superoxide anion were assessed by lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence analysis.

RESULTS: Endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation (bradykinin) for the homocysteine alone group was 62% compared with control (P 0.05). Endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation for the estrogen-homocysteine combined group was 79% compared with 89% for control (P > 0.05). There were no differences in endothelium-independent vasorelaxation (sodium nitroprusside) or in smooth muscle contractility (U46619) between all three groups and control. In addition, the eNOS immunoreactivity was declined in the homocysteine group and had no major change in the estrogen or estrogen plus homocysteine-treated group as compared with controls. The superoxide free radical measurement showed a marked increase in the homocysteine group, no major change from controls in the estrogen group, and a much-lessened effect in the combination of estrogen and homocysteine.

CONCLUSIONS:…

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