ABSTRACT
Objective To study the effects of genistein(GST) on the expression of estrogen receptor ?(ER?) and the expression of c-fos gene in the aorta of ovariectomized rats.Methods Forty female Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups:sham-operated(control),ovariectomized(OVX),ovariectomized with 17?-E2 replacement(OVX+E2),ovariectomized with genistein replacement(OVX+GST) group.After 8 weeks' replacement therapy,the rats were sacrificed and the expression of ER? and c-fos in the aorta was studied by immunohistochemistry.Results Ovariectomy significantly decreased ER ? expression and increased c-fos expression in aorta;while replacement therapy,GST and E2,attenuated the effect of ovariectomy manifested by increasing ER expression and decreasing c-fos expression in aorta.Conclusion GST may modulate the expression of ER? in the arteries of ovariectomized rats and play a beneficial effects on cardiovascular system which was associated with decreases in expression of c-fos gene in aorta.