Chronic Estrogen Treatment Increases Levels of Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase Protein in Rat Cerebral Microvessels

Abstract

Chronic estrogen treatment increases levels of eNOS protein in cerebral microvessels of male and female rats. This increase in eNOS protein correlates with our previous functional findings indicating that estrogen exposure increases NO modulation of cerebrovascular reactivity in both male and female animals. Upregulation of eNOS expression may contribute to the neuroprotective effect of estrogen.