Close X
Friday, November 29, 2024
ADVT 
Health

Estrogen protects some women against heart disease

Darpan News Desk IANS, 14 Nov, 2014 11:13 AM
    Estrogens, also referred to as female sex hormones, have been thought to protect women from heart diseases and researchers have now found how they do so.
     
    An estrogen receptor, previously shown to regulate blood pressure in women, also plays an important role in regulating levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, also known as bad cholesterol that drives the process that leads to heart disease, the findings showed.
     
    "This is a really important finding because there has always been some indication that estrogen was protective in lowering cholesterol, but we did not understand how," said Ross Feldman from Western University in Canada.
     
    "The mechanism of estrogen's effect was kind of a black box because we didn't know the receptors responsible for doing it," Feldman added.
     
    The findings could help explain why post-menopausal women with lower levels of estrogen are more likely to have multiple risk factors for heart disease.
     
    The study looked at two populations of women in Canada.
     
    The researchers showed that the G-protein coupled estrogen receptor 30 (GPER) when activated by estrogen helps lower LDL cholesterol levels in the blood by inhibiting the protein PCSK-9.
     
    This finding provides evidence that the hormone estrogen plays a key role in regulating two of the most common risk factors for heart disease and stroke. 
     
    The study is forthcoming in the journal Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology.

    MORE Health ARTICLES

    Anxiety ups Alzheimer's risk

    Anxiety ups Alzheimer's risk
    Anxiety in people with memory problems could increase their risk of contracting Alzheimer's disease later in life, says a new research....

    Anxiety ups Alzheimer's risk

    Blood vessel protein could help treat prostate tumours: Study

    Blood vessel protein could help treat prostate tumours: Study
    A signal protein, that plays a crucial role in controlling the growth of blood vessels, could be used to suppress tumours in prostate cancer, according to....

    Blood vessel protein could help treat prostate tumours: Study

    Never-before-seen human genome variations uncovered

    Never-before-seen human genome variations uncovered
    Using a new genome sequencing technology, researchers have uncovered thousands of never-before-seen genetic variants in the human genome....

    Never-before-seen human genome variations uncovered

    First step in origin of pancreatic cancer identified

    The scientists have described the molecular steps necessary for acinar cells in the pancreas - the cells that release digestive enzymes - to become....

    First step in origin of pancreatic cancer identified

    Poor lifestyles see Indian teens fall prey to ovarian disorders

    Poor lifestyles see Indian teens fall prey to ovarian disorders
    A sedentary lifestyle, bad food habits and obesity are some of the leading causes of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) among Indian teenagers, with an estimated....

    Poor lifestyles see Indian teens fall prey to ovarian disorders

    Natural supplements could relieve arthritis pain: Study

    Natural supplements could relieve arthritis pain: Study
    In a welcome addition to anti-arthritis treatments, a new product based on medicinal plants and dietary supplements has been developed that relieves....

    Natural supplements could relieve arthritis pain: Study