Direct effects of estrogen on the vessel wall.
The understanding of the biological effects of estrogen on the vessel wall has improved dramatically since the discovery of estrogen receptors (ERs). Most, but not all estrogen-mediated effects in blood vessels are thought to be mediated by ERs. Two major ER subclasses have been characterized so far: the ERalpha and the more recently described ERbeta. This review will primarily focus on a new perspective that highlights ERs as essential mediators of the vascular effects of estrogen. In view of the rising research interest in this area, it can be also expected that tissue- and ER subclass-selective agonists and antagonists will be developed over the next few years, thus providing invaluable tools for pharmacological and clinical applications.
Institute of Pharmacological Sciences, University of Milan, Via Balzaretti 9, 20133 Milan, Italy.
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Cignarella
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Paoletti
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Puglisi
D000818:Animals; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000378:metabolism*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000378:metabolism; D004967:Estrogens / Q000819:agonists / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015394:Molecular Structure; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D020845:Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators / Q000378:metabolism
D004967:Estrogens; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D020845:Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators