In vitro and in vivo effects of estrogens on prostacyclin and thromboxane and on other vasoactive compounds

Estrogens may influence vasomotor tone by endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent mechanism (s). Effects of estrogens on the synthesis of vasoactive agents like nitric oxide (NO) and the eicosanoids prostacyclin and thromboxane, as well as on alteration of intracellular calcium concentrations in vascular cells may be responsible for their vasodilatory properties.