Figure 1.
Estrogen receptor-dependent protective effects of olmesartan in ischemia-induced brain injury in estrogen (E2)-deficient states such as menopause (natural or following ovariectomy). The angiotensin AT1 receptor antagonist olmesartan (Olm) increases expression and posphorylation of ERα. This results in up-regulation of the ACE2, Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL genes in an E2-independent manner, an effect that is blocked by the ERα antagonist ICI 182,780 (ICI). ICI also acts as an agonist of GPER. +, activation; -, inhibition.