Objective We investigated the effect of estrogen replacement on the structure and function of penetrating brain arterioles (PA) and blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability. Methods Female ovariectomized Sprague Dawley rats were replaced with estradiol (E2) and estriol (E3) (OVX+E; N=13) and compared to ovariectomized animals without replacement (OVX; N=14) and intact controls (CTL, proestrous; N=13). Passive and active diameters, percent tone and passive distensibility of pressurized PA were compared. In addition, BBB permeability to Lucifer Yellow, a marker of transcellular transport, was compared in cerebral arteries. Results Ovariectomy increased myogenic tone in PA compared to CTL that was not ameliorated by estrogen treatment. Percent tone at 75 mmHg for CTL vs. OVX and OVX+E was 44 ± 3% vs. 51 ± 1% and 54 ± 3% (p<0.01 vs. CTL for both). No differences were found in passive diameters or distensibility between the groups. BBB permeability increased 500% in OVX vs. CTL animals, however, estrogen replacement restored barrier properties: flux of Lucifer Yellow for CTL, OVX and OVX+E was (ng/mL): 3.4 ± 1.2, 20.2 ± 5.3 (p<0.01 vs. CTL) and 6.15 ± 1.2 (n.s.). Conclusions These results suggest that estrogen replacement may not be beneficial for small vessel disease in the brain, but may limit BBB disruption and edema under conditions that cause it.

Pregnancy is a state of physiologic adaptation, with significant changes in cardiovascular, renal, and hemodynamic systems. Aquaporins (AQPs) may play a role in facilitating these changes. While AQP expression has been assessed in several organs during pregnancy, little is known about its expression in the brain during pregnancy. Therefore, this study assesses the regional expression of AQP1, 4, and 9 during pregnancy and the postpartum period using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The authors show that AQP1, 4, and 9 are expressed in the anterior and posterior cerebrum, cerebellum, and brainstem of nonpregnant, midpregnant, late pregnant, and postpartum rats. The regional distribution pattern of AQP4 and 9 remained similar during gestation, whereas this pattern changed for AQP1. The expression levels of AQP1, 4, and 9 in the brainstem did not change with gestation, whereas changes were found in the anterior cerebrum for AQP4 and in the posterior cerebrum and cerebellum for all AQPs.

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