17Beta-estradiol acutely improves endothelium-dependent relaxation to bradykinin in isolated human coronary arteries.
Improvement of endothelial function has been implicated in the cardioprotective effects of estrogens in women. In isolated human coronary arteries, we investigated whether 17beta-estradiol affects endothelium-dependent responses to bradykinin, an endothelium-derived vasodilator locally produced by endothelial cells. Concentration-response curves to bradykinin (0.03-300 nM) or nitroglycerine (0.01-1 microM) were obtained before and after 30 min of incubation with 17beta-estradiol (3 microM) or solvent control (ethanol 0.2% vol/vol). Incubation with 17beta-estradiol enhanced relaxations to bradykinin (from 43 +/- 6 to 83 +/- 3%, P < 0.0001) but not those to nitroglycerine (n.s.). Improvement of bradykinin-mediated endothelium-dependent relaxation may represent a novel mechanism contributing to the cardioprotective effects of estrogen in women.
Barton
M
M
Department of Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Germany. matthiasbarton@compuserve.com
Cremer
J
J
Mügge
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001920:Bradykinin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000187:drug effects*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004357:Drug Synergism; D004958:Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009126:Muscle Relaxation / Q000187:drug effects*; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005996:Nitroglycerin / Q000494:pharmacology
D009569:Nitric Oxide; D004958:Estradiol; D005996:Nitroglycerin; D001920:Bradykinin