title: Endothelial biology in the post-menopausal obese woman.
abstract: Women generally have a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, this protection of gender diminishes rapidly after menopause and with advancing age, particularly in obese women. Alterations in vascular function are thought to a key early step in the development of atherosclerosis. In this review, we will describe the features of endothelial dysfunction in the post-menopausal obese female and discuss the interplay of aging, estrogen withdrawal, and obesity. The objectives include (1) a review of endothelial biology and endothelial dysfunction, and (2) a discussion how the endothelial function is altered in the context of aging, hormonal changes and insulin resistance. The clinical consequences of endothelial dysfunction and CVD will also be reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States.
authors.forename: Judith L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Meadows
authors.forename: Douglas E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Vaughan
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004967:Estrogens / Q000172:deficiency; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance / Q000502:physiology*; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D004967:Estrogens