Estetrol Modulates Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthesis in Human Endothelial Cells. 2015

Maria Magdalena Montt-Guevara, and Maria Silvia Giretti, and Eleonora Russo, and Andrea Giannini, and Paolo Mannella, and Andrea Riccardo Genazzani, and Alessandro David Genazzani, and Tommaso Simoncini
Molecular and Cellular Gynecological Endocrinology Laboratory (MCGEL), Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa , Pisa , Italy.

Estetrol (E4) is a natural human estrogen that is present at high concentrations during pregnancy. E4 has been reported to act as an endogenous estrogen receptor modulator, exerting estrogenic actions on the endometrium or the central nervous system but presenting antagonistic effects on the breast. Due to these characteristics, E4 is currently being developed for a number of clinical applications, including contraception and menopausal hormone therapy. Endothelial nitric oxide (NO) is a key player for vascular function and disease during pregnancy and throughout aging in women. Endothelial NO is an established target of estrogens that enhance its formation in human endothelial cells. We here addressed the effects of E4 on the activity and expression of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). E4 stimulated the activation of eNOS and NO secretion in HUVEC. E4 was significantly less effective compared to E2, and a peculiar concentration-dependent effect was found, with higher amounts of E4 being less effective than lower concentrations. When E2 was combined with E4, an interesting pattern was noted. E4 antagonized NO synthesis induced by pregnancy-like E2 concentrations. However, E4 did not impede the modest induction of NO synthesis associated with postmenopausal-like E2 levels. These results support the hypothesis that E4 may be a regulator of NO synthesis in endothelial cells and raise questions on its peculiar signaling in this context. Our results may be useful to interpret the role of E4 during human pregnancy and possibly to help develop this interesting steroid for clinical use.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries

Related Publications

Maria Magdalena Montt-Guevara, and Maria Silvia Giretti, and Eleonora Russo, and Andrea Giannini, and Paolo Mannella, and Andrea Riccardo Genazzani, and Alessandro David Genazzani, and Tommaso Simoncini
September 2004, The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism,
Maria Magdalena Montt-Guevara, and Maria Silvia Giretti, and Eleonora Russo, and Andrea Giannini, and Paolo Mannella, and Andrea Riccardo Genazzani, and Alessandro David Genazzani, and Tommaso Simoncini
September 2006, The Journal of pharmacology and experimental therapeutics,
Maria Magdalena Montt-Guevara, and Maria Silvia Giretti, and Eleonora Russo, and Andrea Giannini, and Paolo Mannella, and Andrea Riccardo Genazzani, and Alessandro David Genazzani, and Tommaso Simoncini
September 2013, Cardiovascular diabetology,
Maria Magdalena Montt-Guevara, and Maria Silvia Giretti, and Eleonora Russo, and Andrea Giannini, and Paolo Mannella, and Andrea Riccardo Genazzani, and Alessandro David Genazzani, and Tommaso Simoncini
October 2001, Life sciences,
Maria Magdalena Montt-Guevara, and Maria Silvia Giretti, and Eleonora Russo, and Andrea Giannini, and Paolo Mannella, and Andrea Riccardo Genazzani, and Alessandro David Genazzani, and Tommaso Simoncini
November 2012, Journal of cardiovascular pharmacology,
Maria Magdalena Montt-Guevara, and Maria Silvia Giretti, and Eleonora Russo, and Andrea Giannini, and Paolo Mannella, and Andrea Riccardo Genazzani, and Alessandro David Genazzani, and Tommaso Simoncini
August 1998, The Journal of clinical investigation,
Maria Magdalena Montt-Guevara, and Maria Silvia Giretti, and Eleonora Russo, and Andrea Giannini, and Paolo Mannella, and Andrea Riccardo Genazzani, and Alessandro David Genazzani, and Tommaso Simoncini
October 2006, Obstetrics and gynecology,
Maria Magdalena Montt-Guevara, and Maria Silvia Giretti, and Eleonora Russo, and Andrea Giannini, and Paolo Mannella, and Andrea Riccardo Genazzani, and Alessandro David Genazzani, and Tommaso Simoncini
October 1994, American journal of respiratory cell and molecular biology,
Maria Magdalena Montt-Guevara, and Maria Silvia Giretti, and Eleonora Russo, and Andrea Giannini, and Paolo Mannella, and Andrea Riccardo Genazzani, and Alessandro David Genazzani, and Tommaso Simoncini
September 2021, International journal for vitamin and nutrition research. Internationale Zeitschrift fur Vitamin- und Ernahrungsforschung. Journal international de vitaminologie et de nutrition,
Maria Magdalena Montt-Guevara, and Maria Silvia Giretti, and Eleonora Russo, and Andrea Giannini, and Paolo Mannella, and Andrea Riccardo Genazzani, and Alessandro David Genazzani, and Tommaso Simoncini
June 1995, Circulation research,
Copied contents to your clipboard!