Estrogen replacement therapy significantly reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease in postmenopausal women without altering circulating angiotensin II or aldosterone. Although increasing evidence suggests estrogen decreases vascular angiotensin II receptor expression and attenuates vascular responsiveness to angiotensin II, the effect of estrogen on adrenal aldosterone responses to angiotensin II and the effect of estrogen on aldosterone actions have surprisingly not been studied.
Aim 1 of this proposal will use radioligand-binding and immunohistochemical techniques to determine if estradiol alters the expression and distribution of the AT1 and AT2 subtypes of angiotensin II receptors in the rat adrenal.
Aim 2 will determine the effect of estradiol on angiotensin II-induced aldosterone secretion in conscious, ovariectomized rats.
Aim 3 will use rndioligand-binding, immunohistochemical, and electromobility supershift assay techniques to determine the effect of estradiol on the expression and activity of aldosterone's receptor, the mineralocorticoid receptor, in the kidney, heart, and brain. The results of these studies will reveal the influence of estradiol on adrenal aldosterone responses and actions and provide further insight into the mechanisms contributing to the well-known cardiovascular benefits of estrogen replacement therapy.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32)
Project #
5F32HL010419-02
Application #
6402744
Study Section
Reproductive Biology Study Section (REB)
Program Officer
Schucker, Beth
Project Start
2001-08-01
Project End
Budget Start
2001-08-01
Budget End
2002-07-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2001
Total Cost
$41,996
Indirect Cost
Name
Georgetown University
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
049515844
City
Washington
State
DC
Country
United States
Zip Code
20057