Cycling matters: Sex hormone regulation of vascular potassium channels

Abstract

ABSTRACTSex hormones and the reproductive cycle (estrus in rodents and menstrual in humans) have a known impact on arterial function. In spite of this, sex hormones and the estrus/menstrual cycle are often neglected experimental factors in vascular basic preclinical scientific research. Recent research by our own laboratory indicates that cyclical changes in serum concentrations of sex -hormones across the rat estrus cycle, primarily estradiol, have significant consequences for the subcellular trafficking and function of KV7. Vascular potassium channels, including KV7, are essential components of vascular reactivity. Our study represents a small part of a growing field of literature aimed at determining the role of sex hormones in regulating arterial ion channel function. This review covers key findings describing the current understanding of sex hormone regulation of vascular potassium channels, with a focus on KV7 channels. Further, we highlight areas of research where the estrus cycle should be considered in future studies to determine the consequences of physiological oscillations in concentrations of sex hormones on vascular potassium channel function.

Keywords

• ion channels
• vascular biology
• estrus cycle
• estrogens
• progesterone
• testosterone