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Chen L, Xu T, Lou J, Zhang T, Wu S, Xie R, Xu J. The beneficial roles and mechanisms of estrogens in immune health and infection disease. Steroids 2024; 207:109426. [PMID: 38685461 DOI: 10.1016/j.steroids.2024.109426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Multiple epidemiologic studies have revealed that gender is considered one of the important factors in the frequency and severity of certain infectious diseases, in which estrogens may play a vital role. There is growing evidence that estrogens as female sex hormone can modulate multiple biological functions outside of the reproductive system, such as in brain and cardiovascular system. However, it is largely unknown about the roles and mechanisms of estrogens/estrogen receptors in immune health and infection disease. Thence, by reading a lot of literature, we summarized the regulatory mechanisms of estrogens/estrogen receptors in immune cells and their roles in certain infectious diseases with gender differences. Therefore, estrogens may have therapeutic potentials to prevent and treat these infectious diseases, which needs further clinical investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Ting Xu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Jun Lou
- Department of Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Ting Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Sheng Wu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Liupanshui People's Hospital, Liupanshui City 553000, Guizhou Province, China
| | - Rui Xie
- Department of Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China.
| | - Jingyu Xu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China.
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Szabó R, Hoffmann A, Börzsei D, Kupai K, Veszelka M, Berkó AM, Pávó I, Gesztelyi R, Juhász B, Turcsán Z, Pósa A, Varga C. Hormone Replacement Therapy and Aging: A Potential Therapeutic Approach for Age-Related Oxidative Stress and Cardiac Remodeling. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2021; 2021:8364297. [PMID: 33623635 PMCID: PMC7875635 DOI: 10.1155/2021/8364297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Revised: 08/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Advanced age is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, which might be further exacerbated by estrogen deficiency. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) decreases cardiovascular risks and events in postmenopausal women; however, its effects are not fully elucidated in older individuals. Thus, the aim of our study is to examine the impact of HRT on oxidant/antioxidant homeostasis and cardiac remodeling. In our experiment, control (fertile) and aging (~20-month-old) female Wistar rats were used. Aging rats were further divided into estrogen- (E2, 0.1 mg/kg/day per os) or raloxifene- (RAL, 1.0 mg/kg/day per os) treated subgroups. After 2 weeks of treatment, cardiac heme oxygenase (HO) activity, total glutathione (GSH) content, matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) activity, and the concentrations of collagen type I and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP-2), as well as the infarct size, were determined. The aging process significantly decreased the antioxidant HO activity and GSH content, altered the MMP-2/TIMP-2 signaling, and resulted in an excessive collagen accumulation, which culminated in cardiovascular injury. However, 2 weeks of either E2 or RAL treatment enhanced the antioxidant defense mechanisms and attenuated cardiac remodeling related to aging. Our findings clearly show that 2-week-long HRT is a potential intervention to bias successful cardiovascular aging via reducing oxidative damage and cardiovascular dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renáta Szabó
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Neuroscience, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Szeged H-6726, Hungary
- Interdisciplinary Excellence Centre, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Neuroscience, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Alexandra Hoffmann
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Neuroscience, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Szeged H-6726, Hungary
| | - Denise Börzsei
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Neuroscience, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Szeged H-6726, Hungary
| | - Krisztina Kupai
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Neuroscience, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Szeged H-6726, Hungary
- 1st Department of Medicine, University of Szeged, Szeged H-6720, Hungary
| | - Médea Veszelka
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Neuroscience, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Szeged H-6726, Hungary
| | - Anikó Magyariné Berkó
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Neuroscience, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Szeged H-6726, Hungary
| | - Imre Pávó
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Neuroscience, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Szeged H-6726, Hungary
| | - Rudolf Gesztelyi
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, University of Debrecen, Debrecen H-4032, Hungary
| | - Béla Juhász
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, University of Debrecen, Debrecen H-4032, Hungary
| | - Zsolt Turcsán
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Neuroscience, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Szeged H-6726, Hungary
| | - Anikó Pósa
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Neuroscience, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Szeged H-6726, Hungary
- Interdisciplinary Excellence Centre, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Neuroscience, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Csaba Varga
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Neuroscience, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Szeged H-6726, Hungary
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A Potential Involvement of Anandamide in the Modulation of HO/NOS Systems: Women, Menopause, and "Medical Cannabinoids". Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21228801. [PMID: 33233803 PMCID: PMC7699915 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21228801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Endocannabinoids and their receptors are present in the cardiovascular system; however, their actions under different pathological conditions remain controversial. The aim of our study was to examine the effects of anandamide (AEA) on heme oxygenase (HO) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) systems in an estrogen-depleted rat model. Sham-operated (SO) and surgically induced estrogen-deficient (OVX) female Wistar rats were used. During a two-week period, a group of OVX rats received 0.1 mg/kg estrogen (E2) per os, while AEA-induced alterations were analyzed after two weeks of AEA treatment at the dose of 1.0 mg/kg. At the end of the experiment, cardiac activity and expression of HO and NOS enzymes, content of cannabinoid 1 receptor, as well as concentrations of transient potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) were measured. Our results show that estrogen withdrawal caused a significant decrease in both NOS and HO systems, and a similar tendency was observed regarding the TRPV1/CGRP pathway. Two weeks of either AEA or E2 treatment restored the adverse changes; however, the combined administration of these two molecules did not result in a further improvement. In light of the potential relationship between AEA and HO/NOS systems, AEA-induced upregulation of HO/NOS enzymes may be a therapeutic strategy in estrogen-deficient conditions.
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Sabbatini AR, Kararigas G. Estrogen-related mechanisms in sex differences of hypertension and target organ damage. Biol Sex Differ 2020; 11:31. [PMID: 32487164 PMCID: PMC7268741 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-020-00306-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hypertension (HTN) is a primary risk factor for cardiovascular (CV) events, target organ damage (TOD), premature death and disability worldwide. The pathophysiology of HTN is complex and influenced by many factors including biological sex. Studies show that the prevalence of HTN is higher among adults aged 60 and over, highlighting the increase of HTN after menopause in women. Estrogen (E2) plays an important role in the development of systemic HTN and TOD, exerting several modulatory effects. The influence of E2 leads to alterations in mechanisms regulating the sympathetic nervous system, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, body mass, oxidative stress, endothelial function and salt sensitivity; all associated with a crucial inflammatory state and influenced by genetic factors, ultimately resulting in cardiac, vascular and renal damage in HTN. In the present article, we discuss the role of E2 in mechanisms accounting for the development of HTN and TOD in a sex-specific manner. The identification of targets with therapeutic potential would contribute to the development of more efficient treatments according to individual needs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Georgios Kararigas
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany.
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
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Fardoun M, Dehaini H, Shaito A, Mesmar J, El-Yazbi A, Badran A, Beydoun E, Eid AH. The hypertensive potential of estrogen: An untold story. Vascul Pharmacol 2019; 124:106600. [PMID: 31629918 DOI: 10.1016/j.vph.2019.106600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2019] [Revised: 09/18/2019] [Accepted: 09/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The implication of estrogen in this disease has been extensively studied. While the vast majority of published research argue for a cardioprotective role of estrogen in vascular inflammation such as in atherosclerosis, the role of estrogen in hypertension remains far from being resolved. The vasorelaxant effect of estrogen has already been well-established. However, emerging evidence supports a vasoconstrictive potential of this hormone. It has been proposed that the microenvironment dictates the effect of estrogen-induced type 1 nitric oxide synthase-1 (nNOS) on vasotone. Indeed, depending on nNOS product, nitric oxide or superoxide, estrogen can induce vasodilation or vasoconstriction, respectively. In this review, we discuss the evidence supporting the vasorelaxant effects of estrogen, and the molecular players involved. Furthermore, we shed light on recent reports revealing a vasoconstrictive role of estrogen, and speculate on the underlying signaling pathways. In addition, we identify certain factors that can account for the discrepant estrogenic effects. This review emphasizes a yin-yang role of estrogen in regulating blood pressure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manal Fardoun
- Department of Biology, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Hassan Dehaini
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Abdallah Shaito
- Department of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Lebanese International University, 1105 Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Joelle Mesmar
- Department of Biology, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Ahmed El-Yazbi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Adnan Badran
- Department of Nutrition, University of Petra, Amman, Jordan
| | - Elias Beydoun
- Department of Biology, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Ali H Eid
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon; Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.
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Role of Exercise-Induced Cardiac Remodeling in Ovariectomized Female Rats. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2018; 2018:6709742. [PMID: 29636852 PMCID: PMC5831964 DOI: 10.1155/2018/6709742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2017] [Revised: 11/21/2017] [Accepted: 01/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Myocardial extracellular matrix (ECM) is essential for proper cardiac function and structural integrity; thus, the disruption of ECM homeostasis is associated with several pathological processes. Female Wistar rats underwent surgical ovariectomy (OVX) or sham operation (SO) and were then divided into eight subgroups based on the type of diet (standard chow or high-triglyceride diet/HT) and exercise (with or without running). After 12 weeks, cardiac MMP-2 activity, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2, content of collagen type I, the level of nitrotyrosine (3-NT) and glutathione (GSH), and the ratio of infarct size were determined. Our results show that OVX and HT diet caused an excessive accumulation of collagen; however, this increase was not observed in the trained animals. Twelve weeks of exercise promoted elevation in the levels of 3-NT and GSH and similarly an increase in MMP-2 activity of both SO and OVX animals. The high infarct-size ratio caused by OVX and HT diet was mitigated by physical exercise. Our findings demonstrate that ovarian estrogen loss and HT diet caused collagen accumulation and increased ratio of the infarct size. However, exercise-induced cardiac remodeling serves as a compensatory mechanism by enhancing MMP-2 activity and reducing fibrosis, thus minimizing the ischemia/reperfusion injury.
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Cardioprotective Effect of Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator Raloxifene Are Mediated by Heme Oxygenase in Estrogen-Deficient Rat. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2017; 2017:2176749. [PMID: 28770019 PMCID: PMC5523444 DOI: 10.1155/2017/2176749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2017] [Revised: 05/17/2017] [Accepted: 05/25/2017] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Estrogens and raloxifene (RAL) have beneficial effects on certain cardiovascular indices in postmenopausal women characterized by estrogen deficiency. Heme oxygenase (HO) activity is increased by 17β-estradiol (E2) and RAL in estrogen-deficient rat resulting in vasorelaxation mediated by carbon monoxide. We determined the expressions of HO in cardiac and aortic tissues after ovariectomy (OVX) and subsequent RAL or E2 treatment. We investigated the effects of pharmacological inhibition of HO enzyme on the arginine vasopressin- (AVP-) induced blood pressure in vivo, the epinephrine- and phentolamine-induced electrocardiogram ST segment changes in vivo, and the myeloperoxidase (MPO) enzyme activity. When compared with intact females, OVX decreased the HO-1 and HO-2 expression, aggravated the electrocardiogram signs of heart ischemia and the blood pressure response to AVP, and increased the cardiac MPO. E2 and RAL are largely protected against these negative impacts induced by OVX. The pharmacological inhibition of HO in E2- or RAL-treated OVX animals, however, restored the cardiovascular status close to that observed in nontreated OVX animals. The decreased expression of HO enzymes and the changes in blood pressure ischemia susceptibility and inflammatory state in OVX rat can be reverted by the administration of E2 or RAL partly through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory roles.
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Bombicz M, Priksz D, Varga B, Gesztelyi R, Kertesz A, Lengyel P, Balogh P, Csupor D, Hohmann J, Bhattoa HP, Haines DD, Juhasz B. Anti-Atherogenic Properties of Allium ursinum Liophylisate: Impact on Lipoprotein Homeostasis and Cardiac Biomarkers in Hypercholesterolemic Rabbits. Int J Mol Sci 2016; 17:ijms17081284. [PMID: 27517918 PMCID: PMC5000681 DOI: 10.3390/ijms17081284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2016] [Revised: 07/25/2016] [Accepted: 07/27/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The present investigation evaluates the capacity of Allium ursinum (wild garlic) leaf lyophilisate (WGLL; alliin content: 0.261%) to mitigate cardiovascular damage in hypercholesterolemic rabbits. New Zealand rabbits were divided into three groups: (i) cholesterol-free rabbit chow (control); (ii) rabbit chow containing 2% cholesterol (hypercholesterolemic, HC); (iii) rabbit chow containing 2% cholesterol + 2% WGLL (hypercholesterolemic treated, HCT); for eight weeks. At the zero- and eight-week time points, echocardiographic measurements were made, along with the determination of basic serum parameters. Following the treatment period, after ischemia-reperfusion injury, hemodynamic parameters were measured using an isolated working heart model. Western blot analyses of heart tissue followed for evaluating protein expression and histochemical study for the atheroma status determination. WGLL treatment mediated increases in fractional shortening; right ventricular function; peak systolic velocity; tricuspidal annular systolic velocity in live animals; along with improved aortic and coronary flow. Western blot analysis revealed WGLL-associated increases in HO-1 protein and decreases in SOD-1 protein production. WGLL-associated decreases were observed in aortic atherosclerotic plaque coverage, plasma ApoB and the activity of LDH and CK (creatine kinase) in plasma. Plasma LDL was also significantly reduced. The results clearly demonstrate that WGLL has complex cardioprotective effects, suggesting future strategies for its use in prevention and therapy for atherosclerotic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariann Bombicz
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Debrecen, Debrecen H-4032, Hungary.
- Institute of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen H-4032, Hungary.
| | - Daniel Priksz
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Debrecen, Debrecen H-4032, Hungary.
- Institute of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen H-4032, Hungary.
| | - Balazs Varga
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Debrecen, Debrecen H-4032, Hungary.
- Institute of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen H-4032, Hungary.
| | - Rudolf Gesztelyi
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Debrecen, Debrecen H-4032, Hungary.
| | - Attila Kertesz
- Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen H-4032, Hungary.
| | - Peter Lengyel
- Institute of Applied Informatics and Logistics, University of Debrecen, Debrecen H-4032, Hungary.
| | - Peter Balogh
- Department of Research Methodology and Statistics, Institute of Sectoral Economics and Methodology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen H-4032, Hungary.
| | - Dezso Csupor
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Szeged, Szeged H-6720, Hungary.
| | - Judit Hohmann
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Szeged, Szeged H-6720, Hungary.
| | - Harjit Pal Bhattoa
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen H-4032, Hungary.
| | - David D Haines
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Debrecen, Debrecen H-4032, Hungary.
| | - Bela Juhasz
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Debrecen, Debrecen H-4032, Hungary.
- Institute of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen H-4032, Hungary.
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