Endothelium-independent effect of estrogen on Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channels in human coronary artery smooth muscle cells.

Objective: Postmenopausal estrogen replacement therapy lowers the incidence of cardiovascular disease, suggesting that estrogens support cardiovascular function. Estrogens dilate coronary arteries; however, little is known about the molecular basis of how estrogen affects the human coronary circulation. The cellular/molecular effects of estrogen action on human coronary smooth muscle were investigated in the present study.