Effects of 17β-estradiol on the production of nitric oxide of human umbilical vein endothelial cells

Objective To investigate the effects of 17β E 2 on the production of nitric oxide(NO) from the primary culture of human umbilical vein endothelial cell(HUVEC) and principles of the effects of estrogen on NO level. Methods The primary cultures of HUVEC were digested by trypsin ,and cultured in medium with different concentration of 17β E 2 for various periods. The production of NO was assessed by Griess reaction.Results Exposure of the cells to 17β E 2 with the concentration of 10 -6 mol/L,10 -8 mol/L for 1h, the production of NO was increased significantly( P 0.001), with the concentration of 10 -6 mol/L for 30min,the production of NO was increased significantly( P 0.05),and there was no statistically difference between the exposure to 17β E 2 with the concentration of 10 -10 mol/L,10 -8 mol/L for 30min and control.Conclusion Certain concentration of 17β E 2 could increase the production of NO , which might be the reason of the reduction vessel resistance and antiatherosclerotic effect.