Vascular effects of environmental oestrogens: implications for reproductive and vascular health

Abstract

Environmental oestrogens are defined as xenobiotics structurally resembling oestrogen, and are divided into two broad categories, xeno-oestrogens and phyto-oestrogens. Environmental oestrogens may contribute importantly to the increased incidence of reproductive disorders in the modern environment. Although the mechanisms by which environmental oestrogens induce their deleterious effects on the reproductive system remain poorly defined, it is likely that the vascular effects of these compounds play a critical role. In this regard, oestradiol strongly regulates both angiogenesis and vascular remodelling by influencing the growth and function of vascular endothelial cells (EC) and smooth muscle cells (SMC). Since blood vessels, by undergoing angiogenesis, vascular regression and vascular remodelling, actively participate in the normal functioning of reproductive organs, environmental oestrogens-by mimicking or antagonizing the vascular effects of oestradiol-may induce abnormalities in vascular function and structure leading to reproductive disorders such as pre-eclampsia, endometriosis, impaired follicular development, inefficient implantation, impotence and infertility. The purpose of the present review is to summarize the evidence regarding the vascular effects of xeno-oestrogens and phyto-oestrogens and to discuss the implications for these effects on the reproductive system.

Oestrogen receptor α and β, androgen receptor and progesterone receptor mRNA and protein localisation within the developing ovary and in small growing follicles of sheep

“…Thus, oestrogen and androgens may regulate small ovine follicles indirectly by regulating Steroid hormone receptor localisation in ovine ovaries 89 the stromal cell-follicular interactions as well as through direct regulation of follicular cells. One potential mechanism by which steroids may indirectly regulate early follicular growth through interaction with the stromal cells is through regulation of vascularisation of the small growing follicle (Dubey et al 2000).…”

Catecholamines Abrogate Antimitogenic Effects of 2-Hydroxyestradiol on Human Aortic Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

“…12 The inhibitory effects of estradiol on injury-induced neointimal formation is a key mechanism via which estradiol is thought to mediate its protective effects on the vasculature of postmenopausal women receiving hormone replacement therapy. 1 Although the biological effects of estradiol on VSMCs are thought to be receptormediated, the recent findings that estradiol prevents neointimal formation in mice lacking functional ER-␣ and ER-␤ 2,3 suggest that ER-independent mechanisms may also participate in mediating the vascular protective effects of estradiol on the vessel wall.…”

Association of serum concentrations of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and risk of pre-eclampsia: a case–control study

“…Evidence suggested defective vascular remodelling of the spiral arteries in the first half of pregnancy causes pre-eclampsia [23] and Dubey et al study manifested the environmental oestrogens such as synthetic xenoestrogens that are widely used in industrial compounds like PCBs may induce abnormalities in vascular function and structure by mimicking or antagonizing the vascular effects of oestardiol, leading to pre-eclampsia [24]. Recent study also has been reviewed dioxins and related pollutants effects on the placental angiogenesis and vascular remodelling during embryo and foetal development by reducing blood flow and circulatory function, that possibly leading to pre-eclampsia [25].…”