Work

Basal release of nitric oxide from aortic rings is greater in female rabbits than in male rabbits: implications for atherosclerosis.

Year: 1992

Type: article

Abstract: Estradiol is known to exert a protective effect against the development of atherosclerosis, but the mechanism of this hormonal action is unknown. One of the early events in the development of atherosclerosis is the adhesion of macrophages to endothelial cells, and nitric oxide (NO) inhibits this process. We show that basal release of NO is greater with endothelium-intact aortic rings from female rabbits than those from males. Oophorectomy diminishes both circulating estradiol concentration and basal release of NO to levels seen in male rabbits. These data establish that basal NO release from endothelium-intact aortic rings depends on circulating estradiol concentration and offer an explanation for the protective effect of estradiol against the development of atherosclerosis.

Source: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

DOI: 10.1073/pnas.89.23.11259

Authors: T Hayashi, J M Fukuto, L J Ignarro, G Chaudhuri

Institutions: University of California, Los Angeles, Nagoya University

Language: English

Topic: Nitric Oxide and Endothelin Effects

Subfield: Physiology (medical)

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: Japan Foundation for Aging and Health, University of California, Los Angeles, U.S. Public Health Service, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute