Estrogen regulates insulin-like growth factor 1, platelet-derived growth factor A and B, and their receptors in the vascular wall.

Background: Peptide growth factors induce vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation and migration after vascular injury, leading to arterial stenosis. Estrogen provides vasculoprotective effects by regulating endothelial and vascular SMC function.

Methods: We performed aortic denudations in male Wistar rats.