title: Menopause, estrogens, and endothelial dysfunction: current concepts.
abstract: Menopause is defined as the permanent cessation of menses. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among postmenopausal women in developed countries. The disparity between the incidence of cardiovascular disease among women in pre- and postmenopause has been ascribed to the actions of endogenous estrogen on the cardiovascular system and, particularly, on the vascular endothelium. The endothelium plays an important role in cardiovascular homeostasis, either through the vascular tonus and its regulation, or through coagulation and the inflammatory response. Endothelial dysfunction is implicated in the genesis of atherosclerosis and other chronic disorders, such as diabetes mellitus and hypertension. The pharmacological use of estrogen exerts influence on the circulating levels of markers of vascular tonus, and inflammation, as well as prothrombotic, and fibrinolytic markers, but the impact of these changes on the atherosclerotic disease is still uncertain.
authors.affiliation: Gynecological Endocrinology Unit, Division of Endocrinology, Hospital das Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
authors.forename: Maria Augusta
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Maturana
authors.forename: Maria Claudia
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Irigoyen
authors.forename: Poli Mara
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Spritzer
mesh_terms: D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000209:etiology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D001779:Blood Coagulation Factors / Q000378:metabolism; D001916:Brachial Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D010992:Plethysmography, Impedance; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D017697:Premenopause / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000502:physiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D001779:Blood Coagulation Factors