Estrogen Reduces Myointimal Proliferation After Balloon Injury of Rat Carotid Artery

Abstract

These data indicate that the sex difference in myointimal proliferation after vascular injury is estrogen dependent. C-myc gene expression is greater in the undamaged carotid artery of the male than in that of the female, and the responsiveness of this gene to balloon injury of the artery is more rapid and more robust in the male than in the female rat. These findings have direct implications for the prevention and treatment of vascular disease in humans.