Effects of progesterone and estrogen on endothelial dysfunction in porcine coronary arteries1

This data suggests that the progesterone component of HRT has a detrimental influence on endothelium-dependent relaxation. This effect appears to be related to decreased eNOS levels, as well as increased consumption of NO by superoxide anion in the endothelium of tissues exposed to progesterone. Estrogen can block progesterone-induced endothelial dysfunction and superoxide anion production in the pig coronary artery model.