Abstracts » Health

Effects of estrogen on nitric oxide biosynthesis and vasorelaxant activity in sheep uterine and renal arteries in vitro

Article Abstract:

Estrogen may enhance blood vessel dilation and increase nitric oxide production in the nonpregnant uterus. Researchers used 10 nonpregnant sheep that had never borne offspring and whose ovaries had been removed to determine the effect of estrogen on arteries of the uterus and kidneys and the relationship of nitric oxide to that effect. Estrogen enhanced the ability of bradykinin and superoxide dismutase to dilate blood vessels of the uterus but not of the kidneys. Nitric oxide may play a role in the vasodilating effect of estrogen on uterine arteries. Administration of an inhibitor of nitric oxide production caused a decrease in the vasodilating effect of estrogen. Elevations in nitric oxide production may induce the increase in blood volume in the sheep uterus during heat.

Biosynthesis

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Uterine ultrasonographic changes with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists

Article Abstract:

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists can shrink the entire uterus even in women who do not have uterine fibroids. These drugs are used to treat uterine fibroids, endometriosis, and excessive menstrual bleeding. Researchers randomly assigned 51 women awaiting a hysterectomy to receive injections with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist called leuprolide acetate or a placebo for eight weeks. Ultrasound imaging showed that none of the women had uterine fibroids. Leuprolide acetate caused the uterus to shrink an average of 34% in the women who took it. No change was seen in the placebo group.

Uterus, Leuprolide

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Decreasing estrogen in nonpregnant women lowers uterine myometrial type I nitric oxide synthase protein expression

Article Abstract:

Estrogen appears to stimulate the production of nitric oxide in uterine tissue. In a study of 24 women, those who received gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists had lower levels of an enzyme that synthesizes nitric oxide. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists cause estrogen levels to decrease.

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