Estrogen-mediated up-regulation of the Ca-dependent constitutive nitric oxide synthase in the rat aorta and heart.

The role of endogenous estrogens has been studied in the regulation of the Ca-dependent constitutive nitric oxide synthase (cNOS) enzyme activity in aortic and cardiac tissues of the rat. The activity of cNOS enzyme was measured by the citrulline assay in the abdominal aorta and in the left ventricle of the heart obtained from male, sham-operated female and ovariectomized female Wistar rats. Estrogen replacement therapy (17-beta-estradiol, 20-100 microg/kg/day, s.

Nitric oxide-mediated mucus hypersecretion protects the stomach of ovariectomized rats.

The actions of ovariectomy on nitric oxide synthase (assessed by the citrullin assay), mucus secretion (assessed by the Alcyan blue technique) and ulcerogenic response (indomethacin (30 mg kg(-1), s.c. , 4 h) or cysteamine (400 mg kg(-1), s.