THE ANTIPROLIFERATIVE EFFECT OF 17-BETA-ESTRADIOL METABOLITES ON HUMAN CORONARY-ARTERY SMOOTH-MUSCLE CELLS

We have investigated the effect of the estradiol metabolites 2-methoxy estrone, 2-methoxyestradiol and 16-hydroxyestrone on the proliferation of human coronary smooth muscle cells. 2-methoxyestrone and 2-methoxy estradiol significantly inhibited smooth muscle cell proliferation at concentrations of 10(-5) and 10(-6) M, 2-methoxyestradiol being almost twice as potent as 17 beta-estradiol. Since 2-methoxyestradiol exhibi ts virtually no estrogenic property, this compound may attain clinical -pharmacological significance in the prevention of cardiovascular dise ase in humans. Med Sci Res 26:481-482 (C) 1998 Lippincott-Raven Publis hers.