title: Estrogen prevents cardiac and vascular failure in the 'listless' zebrafish (Danio rerio) developmental model.
abstract: The presence of a robust estrogen (E2) response system throughout heart and blood vessel tissues of vertebrates, including humans, has led to the speculation that this ubiquitous hormone may play a prominent role in the health and maintenance of the adult cardiovascular system (CVS). We previously established an embryonic zebrafish model called 'listless', which results from the inhibition of E2 synthesis by treatment with aromatase enzyme inhibitors (AI). These fish have outward symptoms similar to the human condition of congestive heart failure and tamponade. E2 replacement therapy (1) reduced the severity of cardiac sac abnormalities, (2) protected heart function, (3) prevented reduction in heart size, and (4) reduced blood vessel deterioration. Nitric oxide may be a critical downstream mediator of these events. We also demonstrate that removal of fluid around the heart increases survival of AI-treated fish. These results strongly indicate the importance of E2 in the developing CVS of the zebrafish and offer a potential model for the study of its role in CVS development, maintenance, and disease conditions.
authors: Department of Biology, Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, VA, USA.
authors: Ottie E
authors: OE
authors: Allgood
authors: Alia
authors: A
authors: Hamad
authors: Joshua
authors: J
authors: Fox
authors: Anna
authors: A
authors: Defrank
authors: Ryan
authors: R
authors: Gilley
authors: Frederick
authors: F
authors: Dawson
authors: Benjamin
authors: B
authors: Sykes
authors: Tarenne J
authors: TJ
authors: Underwood
authors: Rachel C
authors: RC
authors: Naylor
authors: Ashley A
authors: AA
authors: Briggs
authors: Christopher S
authors: CS
authors: Lassiter
authors: Wade E
authors: WE
authors: Bell
authors: James E
authors: JE
authors: Turner
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002319:Cardiovascular System / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D004967:Estrogens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects / Q000196:embryology; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D015027:Zebrafish / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors; D004967:Estrogens; D009569:Nitric Oxide