Protective effects of 17β-estradiol and trivalent chromium on interleukin-6 secretion, oxidative stress, and adhesion of monocytes: Relevance to heart disease in postmenopausal women

Postmenopausal diabetic women are at greater risk for heart disease compared with men of similar age and with other risk factors. We examined the hypothesis that 17β-estradiol and trivalent chromium inhibit secretion of the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-6 and oxidative stress in monocytes exposed to high glucose (HG). U937 human monocytes were cultured with HG (30 mM) with and without 17β-estradiol (0–1000 nM) and chromium chloride (Cr3+, 0–10 μM) at 37°C for 24 h. Results show that 17β-estradiol inhibits IL-6 and adhesion to endothelial cells (p <. 05) by HG-treated monocytes. Treatment with 17β-estradiol+Cr3+ required a significantly lower dose of estradiol-17β compared with 17β-estradiol alone for IL-6 inhibition. 17β-Estradiol+Cr3+ also inhibited lipid peroxidation and the adhesivity to human endothelial cells in HG-treated monocytes. Thus, 17β-estradiol+Cr3+ inhibits oxidative stress, IL-6 secretion, and monocytic adhesion to endothelial cells, risk factors in the development of heart disease. The female body requires E but studies on some patients indicate side effects with increased amounts of 17β-estradiol-supplementation. The potential benefit of a lower estrogen dose in combination with chromium is novel and needs to be explored in postmenopausal diabetic women.