Influence of sex and estrogen on vitamin D-induced arterial calcification in rats

  1. Tetsuro Nakamura1,
  2. Masahiro Akishita2,
  3. Koichi Kozaki3,
  4. Kenji Toba2,
  5. Hajime Orimo4,
  6. Yasuyoshi Ouchi3,*

Article first published online: 13 OCT 2003

DOI: 10.1046/j.1444-1586.2003.00077.x

Issue

Geriatrics & Gerontology International

Geriatrics & Gerontology International

Volume 3, Issue 3, pages 145–149, September 2003

Additional Information

How to Cite

Nakamura, T., Akishita, M., Kozaki, K., Toba, K., Orimo, H. and Ouchi, Y. (2003), Influence of sex and estrogen on vitamin D-induced arterial calcification in rats. Geriatrics & Gerontology International, 3: 145–149. doi: 10.1046/j.1444-1586.2003.00077.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    Research Institute of Aging Science,

  2. 2

    Department of Geriatric Medicine, Kyorin University School of Medicine,

  3. 3

    Department of Geriatric Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo and

  4. 4

    Tokyo Metropolitan Geriatric Hospital, Tokyo, Japan

*Yasuyoshi Ouchi, md, phd, Department of Geriatric Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan. Email: youchi-tky@umin.ac.jp

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 13 OCT 2003
  2. Article first published online: 13 OCT 2003
  3. Accepted for publication 29 January 2003.

SEARCH

SEARCH BY CITATION

ARTICLE TOOLS

View Full Article (HTML) Get PDF (110K)

Keywords:

  • artery;
  • estradiol;
  • gender;
  • histo(patho)logy;
  • hormones;
  • smooth muscle

Background:  It is known that the process of arteriosclerosis is affected by sex and estrogen. The present study was thus undertaken to examine the effects of these factors on arterial calcification, a form of arteriosclerosis, using a rat model of vitamin D toxicity.

Methods and results:  Vehicle or 5 µg/kg per day 1α(OH)D3 was given to male and female 30-week-old Fisher rats for 2 weeks. Arterial calcification, evaluated by calcium content in the aorta, was 70% more marked in male rats compared to that in female rats, whereas calcium content in the aorta was similar in vehicle-treated male and female rats. Next, the effects of ovariectomy and estrogen replacement (estradiol dipropionate 20 µg/kg per week) were examined in female rats given 5 µg/kg per day 1α(OH)D3 for 2 weeks. Calcium content in the aorta was significantly higher in ovariectomized rats than in sham-operated rats and in ovariectomized and estrogen-replaced rats. No difference between the groups was seen when vehicle was given to the animals.

Conclusions:  These results suggest that sex and estrogen can modify the process of arterial calcification. The mechanisms remain to be determined, although the effects were independent of serum calcium level.

View Full Article (HTML) Get PDF (110K)