Estradiol enhances thermoregulation induced by ostruthin, a TREK channel agonist, in ovariectomized rats.

ABSTRACT: Menopausal women frequently report contradictory thermoregulatory symptoms (hot flashes and chills), believed to result from declining estradiol (E₂) levels; however, mechanisms remain unclear. TWIK-related (TREK) potassium channels function as cold receptors. Although E₂ enhances TREK1 activity in vitro, its effect on TREK-mediated thermoregulation has not been investigated in vivo. This study investigated whether E₂ facilitated TREK-mediated thermoregulation in ovariectomized rats using ostruthin, a TREK agonist. Rats were ovariectomized and implanted with silastic tubes with or without E₂, followed by ostruthin or vehicle injection. We measured thermoregulatory parameters, plasma hormones (triiodothyronine and thyroxine), and mRNA expression of cold receptors in dorsal root ganglia. Ven

SUBMITTER: Uchida Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12509895 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature