Figure 1.

Proposed mechanisms by which oestrogen is able to modulate the regulation of vasomotor function (modified after Huang and Kaley²). EC, endothelial cell; ER, oestrogen receptor; ERE, oestrogen response element; Akt, protein kinase B; MAPK, mitogen-activated protein kinase; PK, protein kinases; COX, cyclooxigenase; eNOS, endothelial nitric oxide/NO/synthase; SOD, superoxide dismutase; CYP, cytochrome P450; PG, prostaglandin; EDHF, endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor; VSM, vascular smooth muscle. The contribution of these mechanisms can be modified by the presence of various diseases and age.