ESTROGEN ATTENUATES PROGRESSIVE GLOMERULAR INJURY IN HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIC MALE IMAI RATS

Hypercholesterolemic Imai rats spontaneously develop proteinuria and g lomerulosclerosis, especially in males. A sex difference in glomerular injury has been recognized, but the role of sex hormones in glomerula r injury remains unclear. Therefore, we investigated whether estrogen administration influences the progressive glomerular injury in male Im ai rats. Estrogen produced a significant decrease in body weight. Syst olic blood pressure in estrogen-treated rats was significantly lower t han that in controls. Estrogen attenuated the progression of glomerula r injury by significantly reducing proteinuria and glomerular sclerosi s. The glomerulosclerosis index was significantly higher in controls t han in estrogen-treated rats. Estrogen suppressed serum testosterone l evels, whereas it increased GH levels. Results suggest that estrogen a ppears to play an inhibitory role on the development of glomerular inj ury, by itself or in association with sex-related factors regulated by estrogen and testosterone.