Mechanism of action of estradiol on sodium pump in sarcolemma from the myocardium

Today it is accepted that estrogens mitigate the consequences of ischemic heart disease. Preliminary experiments revealed an increase in heart sarcolemmal (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity after application of estradiol in vivo. It is also well known the key role of latter enzyme for heart function. The facts mentioned above indicate that estradiol may act on the heart just via modulation of the (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity. In present paper it is confirmed that 17-beta-estradiol stimulates the activity of sarcolemmal (Na+ + K+)-ATPase by allosteric manner, particularly by increasing positive cooperativity between the K(+)-binding sites of the enzyme. This effect is manifested by enhancement in functional capacity of the sodium pump in sarcolemma. Stimulatory effect of estradiol is bound to integrated myocytes: neither is it manifested in isolated sarcolemma in vitro nor exhibits any influence on the affinity of binding sites for cardiac glycosides or on total capacity of the sarcolemma to bind ouabain. Basing on the data obtained it was assumed that estradiol acts on the (Na+ + K+)-ATPase not directly but by means of a mediator released within the myocyte.