To test the acute effect of estrogen on peripheral blood flow and vascular resistance in postmenopausal women.
PATIENTS AND
Methods
Eleven normotensive, post-menopausal female volunteers (mean age 53 +/- 6 years) were studied. Six women were in natural menopause and 5 had had a hysterectomy (mean age of the menopause 49 +/- 3 years). We used a double-blind, randomized protocol to assess the acute response to sublingual estradiol-17 beta (1 mg) on the forearm resistance vessels, compared with sublingual placebo. Blood flow was measured by strain-gauge plethysmography, and mean peripheral vascular resistance was then calculated. Mean blood pressure was also measured.
Results
The mean blood flow induced by estradiol-17 beta after 40 minutes was significantly greater than that induced by placebo (3.9 +/- 0.5 mL/100 mL per minute versus 2.4 +/- 0.4 mL/100 mL per minute, respectively, P < 0.05). The forearm resistance was significantly reduced at 40 minutes after estradiol-17 beta compared with placebo (25.7 +/- 4.4 resistance units (RU) to 44.4 +/- 6.4 RU, respectively, P < 0.05). Mean blood pressure 40 minutes after the administration of estradiol-17 beta was no different when compared with placebo (91 +/- 1.5 mm Hg versus 90 +/- 2.5 mm Hg, respectively, P = NS).
Conclusions
These results indicate that the acute administration of estradiol-17 beta affects blood flow in the peripheral vasculature in human subjects. The mechanism of this effect has not been determined, but it may explain some of the beneficial effects of estrogen on the vascular system and have future therapeutic potential in postmenopausal women.
PMID 7625415 7625415 DOI 10.1016/s0002-9343(99)80130-2 10.1016/s0002-9343(99)80130-2
Cite this article
Volterrani, M., Rosano, G., Coats, A., Beale, C., & Collins, P. (1995). Estrogen acutely increases peripheral blood flow in postmenopausal women. The American journal of medicine, 99(2), 119-122. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0002-9343(99)80130-2
Volterrani M, Rosano G, Coats A, Beale C, Collins P. Estrogen acutely increases peripheral blood flow in postmenopausal women. Am J Med. 1995;99(2):119-122. doi:10.1016/s0002-9343(99)80130-2
Volterrani, M., et al. "Estrogen acutely increases peripheral blood flow in postmenopausal women." The American journal of medicine, vol. 99, no. 2, 1995, pp. 119-122.
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Menstrual CycleAnovulation and Systemic DiseaseChronic Fatigue SyndromeImmunomodulatory Effects
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PCOSOvulation Induction StrategiesEndometrial Cancer RiskAntiestrogen Resistant PCOS
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