Effects of estrogen on estrogen receptors in myocardium of ovariectomized female rats

AIM:To investigate the expression of estrogen receptors in myocardium of ovariectomized female rats.METHODS:One week after bilateral ovariectomy,the female SD rats were divided into 3 groups randomly:OVX +estrogen(0.15 mg/kg,s.c.),OVX + normal sodium and control.After 4 weeks of treatment,the expression of estrogen receptors in the myocardium were evaluated by Western blotting.RESULTS:After ovariectomy,serum estrogen decreased significantly,compared with control[(88±22 vs 403±59)pmol/L,P0.05],the expression of estrogen receptors decreased(P0.05).After estrogen replacement therapy,serum estrogen increased[(3864±105)pmol/L],estrogen upregulated the expression of ERβ receptor(P0.05)and downregulated ERα receptor(P0.05)in myocardium.CONCLUSION:Estrogen replacement modifies the expression of estrogen receptors in myocardium of ovariectomized female rats.