© 1999 by European Society of Cardiology
Copyright © 1999, European Society of Cardiology
Estrogen, natriuretic peptides and the renin–angiotensin system1
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, 40 Ruskin Street, Ottawa ON K1Y 4W7, Canada
* Corresponding author. Tel.: +613-761-4269; fax: +613-761-1597; e-mail: mercedes@uottawa.ca
There are significant gender-specific differences in the incidence of hypertension and the clinical outcome of cardiovascular disease between premenopausal women and age-matched men, suggesting that sex hormones such as estrogen (E) might be responsible for the observed cardioprotective effects. This cardioprotective action of E is thought to involve lipoproteins. However, the effect of E on the lipid profile accounts for about 50% of the reduction in cardiovascular disease, indicating that there might be other mechanisms by which E exerts its cardioprotective effects. At present, the underlying mechanism of E action is poorly understood. In this review, the interplay between E, the natriuretic peptides (NP) and the renin–angiotensin system (RAS) is examined. It is hypothesized that E might, through endocrine and/or paracrine action, modulate cardiac NP in females by affecting the RAS either directly or indirectly.
KEYWORDS Hormones; Hypertension; Natriuretic peptide; Renin–angiotensin system
1 Supported by Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario.
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