LETTER
Effect of Estrogen on Nitric Oxide and Endothelin-1
Jerome I. Brody, MD
15 July 1998 | Volume 129 Issue 2 | Page 160
TO THE EDITOR:
I read with considerable interest the recent article by Best and colleagues [1]. The observation that estrogen replacement increases nitric oxide levels and, at the same time, reduces concentrations of endothelin-1 is in accord with studies we have done [2] that have used immunocytochemistry to show increased levels of in situ endothelin-1 in diseased coronary artery bypass grafts and coronary arteries. Concurrently, again according to immunocytochemistry, the availability of nitric oxide is reduced in diseased coronary arteries and failed bypass grafts. We have indicated a direct relation between locally increased concentrations of endothelin-1, the consummate vasoconstrictor, and lack of nitric oxide, the potent vasodilator, because of the absence of nitric oxide synthase [3].
The increased severity of coronary artery disease in postmenopausal women may well be related to the abnormalities demonstrated immunocytochemically, which appear to be alleviated by the administration of exogenous estrogen. Estrogen replacement may improve endothelial cell function.
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Author and Article Information
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Allegheny University Hospitals; Philadelphia, PA 19129
1. Best PJ, Berger PB, Miller VM, Lerman A. The effect of estrogen replacement therapy on plasma nitric oxide and endothelin-1 levels in postmenopausal women. Ann Intern Med. 1998; 128:285-8.
2. Brody JI, Fink GB, Capuzzi DM. In situ endothelin in coronary artery disease. Angiology. 1996; 47:1027.
3. Brody JI, Capuzzi DM, et al. Nitric oxide synthase in coronary artery disease [Abstract]. Presented at the Biomedicine '97 Meeting, 26 April 1997, Washington, D.C. (American Society for Clinical Investigation).
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