CARDIOVASCULAR PROTECTION BY ESTROGEN IS PARTLY MEDIATED THROUGH MODULATION OF AUTONOMIC NERVOUS FUNCTION

Experimental studies have provided evidence that the autonomic nervous activity is modulated by oestrogen. Such modulation at central and pe ripheral levels tends to suppress sympathetic but elevate parasympathe tic tone to the cardiovascular system. Thus, available data support th e view that cardiovascular protection by oestrogen may, at least in pa rt, be mediated by its influence on autonomic nervous function.