Background
There are sex differences in the incidence and severity of cardiovascular disease. Although an estrogen-mediated vasculoprotective effect is widely accepted, clinical trial
Conclusions
Estrogen may regulate cardiovascular health via the expression of SIRT1, possibly through the AKT and ERK signaling pathways.
Methods
We ovariectomized (OVX) female, wild-type, C57BL/6J mice, which were randomized into non-estrogen- and estrogen-supplemented groups. We also treated A7r5 VSMCs with 17-β-estradiol and resveratrol, a SIRT1 activator, in vitro, and measured the expression of SIRT1 and apoptotic markers, as well as proliferation, viability, and migration.
Results
Aortic tissue from OVX mice exhibited marked VSMC hyperplasia and upregulation of SIRT1, which was reversed by 17-β-estradiol supplementation, as assessed by western blotting and immunohistochemical staining. In vitro, 17-β-estradiol downregulated SIRT1 expression in a dose- and time-dependent manner, increased apoptosis, and reduced proliferation, viability, and migration. Resveratrol reversed these effects through the activation of SIRT1. Estrogen appeared to mediate its effects through the Akt and ERK pathways. Conclusions: Estrogen may regulate cardiovascular health via the expression of SIRT1, possibly through the AKT and ERK signaling pathways.