Estrogen replacement increases matrix metalloproteinase contribution to vasoconstriction in a rat model of menopause.
OBJECTIVE
Estrogen deficiency has been implicated in the pathogenesis of postmenopausal hypertension; yet hormone replacement therapy has controversial effects on the cardiovascular risk. Surprisingly, the effects of estrogen in the aging vascular system have been understudied. Aging is associated with vascular inflammation [elevated tumor necrosis factor (TNF)]. TNF is an activator of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) that can have vasoactive properties by specific cleavage of big endothelin-1 (ET-1). We hypothesized that MMPs are downstream mediators of vascular dysfunction in aging/estrogen deficiency.


METHODS
Aged rats (12 months) were ovariectomized (to model a menopausal phenotype) and treated with placebo, estrogen or TNF inhibitor (etanercept) for 4 weeks. Reactivity of resistance mesenteric arteries was evaluated on pressure arteriograph and vascular MMP activity measured by gelatin zymography.


RESULTS
Vasoconstriction to big ET-1 was greater in menopausal (relative to cycling) phenotype, but attenuated with MMP inhibition. Estrogen replacement reduced sensitivity to big ET-1, whereas further increased the role of MMP in the constriction, which was not mediated by TNF. MMP-2 activity in the mesenteric vascular bed was greater in menopausal compared with cycling females, but returned to control levels after estrogen treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study indicates that MMPs are critical modulators of endothelin-mediated vasoconstriction in aging/estrogen deficiency that was not evident in cycling animals. Estrogen replacement is complex: although it reduces MMP expression, estrogen leads to a greater acute MMP modulation of vascular function. Thus, understanding the novel role of estrogen as a regulator of vascular MMPs may provide valuable insights into women's cardiovascular health issues in aging.
Lekontseva
Olga
O
Department of Physiology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2S2, Canada.
Jiang
Yanyan
Y
Davidge
Sandra T
ST
D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D019332:Endothelin-1 / Q000494:pharmacology; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D000068800:Etanercept; D005260:Female; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000494:pharmacology; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases / Q000502:physiology*; D008593:Menopause / Q000502:physiology*; D023421:Models, Animal; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D014661:Vasoconstriction / Q000187:drug effects
D019332:Endothelin-1; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases; D000068800:Etanercept