Correlation between estrogen receptor α expression, collagen content and stiffness in human uterine arteries

Abstract

Aim of the study. To investigate the relationship between estrogen receptor α expression, collagen content and distensibility of the human uterine artery.Study design. Uterine arteries (n = 13) obtained from women undergoing hysterectomy were mounted for length–tension relations and thereafter frozen for later determination of collagen and estrogen receptor α contents.Results. A negative correlation between estrogen receptor α content and collagen content (r = −0.76, n = 13) and a positive correlation between collagen content and passive tension at 1.4 Lo (r = 0.72, n = 13) in the uterine artery were detected. No difference was found between pre‐ and postmenopausal women concerning the estrogen receptor α content, the collagen content or maximal active force.Conclusions. Our data show a functional correlate to the expression of estrogen receptors α, as a high content of estrogen receptor α correlates with a lower collagen concentration, indicating that estrogen through activation of estrogen receptor α protects against vascular collagen accumulation making the vessel more distensible.