Hormone Replacement Therapy Implications for Women with Atherosclerosis

Strategic Insights -

Research from the United States reveals that genetic factors play a significant role in determining susceptibility to atherosclerosis and influence the effects of estrogens and progestins in arterial vessel disease. A study published in the American Journal of Physiology - Endocrinology and Metabolism found that estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) expression differed in atherosclerosis-susceptible and -resistant mice, with ERalpha, ERbeta, and PR levels higher in the aorta and aortic smooth muscle cells of susceptible mice. This study highlights the importance of considering individual genetic factors when prescribing hormone replacement therapy.

Key Takeaways:

  • Genetic factors determine susceptibility to atherosclerosis and influence the effects of estrogens and progestins in arterial vessel disease.
  • Estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) expression differed in atherosclerosis-susceptible and -resistant mice.
  • ERalpha, ERbeta, and PR levels were higher in the aorta and aortic smooth muscle cells of susceptible mice.
  • Hormone replacement therapy may have different effects in women with atherosclerosis due to their genetic predisposition.
  • The study's findings have important implications for the treatment of women with atherosclerosis who receive hormone replacement therapy.

Statistics:

  • 2-fold increase in luciferase activity in aortic smooth muscle cells of atherosclerosis-susceptible mice (B6-ASMC) after treatment with 17beta-estradiol (E-2).
  • E-2 decreased collagen synthesis but had no effect on matrix metalloproteinase activities in B6-ASMC.
  • P decreased matrix metalloproteinase-2 and matrix metalloproteinase-9 activity in B6-ASMC.
  • In contrast, E-2 increased matrix metalloproteinase-2 and decreased matrix metalloproteinase-9 activity but had no effect on collagen synthesis in C3H-ASMC.
  • The study's findings were published in the American Journal of Physiology - Endocrinology and Metabolism (Response to sex hormones differs in atherosclerosis-susceptible and -resistant mice. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, 2003;285(6):E1237-E1245).

Sources:

  • M. Potier and colleagues (2003). Response to sex hormones differs in atherosclerosis-susceptible and -resistant mice. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, 285(6):E1237-E1245.
  • M. Karl, University Miami, School of Medicine, Vascular Biology Institute, Department Med, POB 019132 R104, Miami, FL 33101, USA.
  • American Physiological Society, 9650 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA.