Estrogen attenuates vascular calcification in rat

Objective To explore the role of Estrogen in vascular calcification.Methods Thirty female SD rats were ovariectomized and induced vascular calcification by Vitamin D3 and Nicotine. The level of Estrogen was measured by radioimmunoassay, and calcium,~45 Ca~2+ deposition and alkaline phosphatase(ALP)were also assayed.Results Many black granules among the smooth muscle cells and its matrix in calcified aorta by Von Kossa staining in VDN group was observed, 2.5-fold, 3.3-fold, 2.4-fold increase Calcium、~45 Ca~2+ deposition and ALP were observed in VDN group than that in control group, respectively. However, compared with VDN group,these data were increased by 28%、34% and 20% in OVX+VDN group and decreased by 37%、37% and 31% in OVX+VDN+E group,respectively.Conclusion The extent of Vascular calcification is aggravated in ovariectomized rats. It suggests that estrogen may have cardiovascular protection by antagonizing vascular calcification.