1
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Dignam JP, Sharma S, Stasinopoulos I, MacLean MR. Pulmonary arterial hypertension: Sex matters. Br J Pharmacol 2024; 181:938-966. [PMID: 37939796 DOI: 10.1111/bph.16277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a complex disease of multifactorial origin. While registries have demonstrated that women are more susceptible to the disease, females with PAH have superior right ventricle (RV) function and a better prognosis than their male counterparts, a phenomenon referred to as the 'estrogen paradox'. Numerous pre-clinical studies have investigated the involvement of sex hormones in PAH pathobiology, often with conflicting results. However, recent advances suggest that abnormal estrogen synthesis, metabolism and signalling underpin the sexual dimorphism of this disease. Other sex hormones, such as progesterone, testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone may also play a role. Several non-hormonal factor including sex chromosomes and epigenetics have also been implicated. Though the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms are complex, several compounds that modulate sex hormones levels and signalling are under investigation in PAH patients. Further elucidation of the estrogen paradox will set the stage for the identification of additional therapeutic targets for this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua P Dignam
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
| | - Smriti Sharma
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
| | - Ioannis Stasinopoulos
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
- Mass Spectrometry Core, Edinburgh Clinical Research Facility, Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
| | - Margaret R MacLean
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
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2
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Stallone JN, Oloyo AK. Cardiovascular and metabolic actions of the androgens: Is testosterone a Janus-faced molecule? Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 208:115347. [PMID: 36395900 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2022.115347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and in the Western world, one-third of all deaths are attributed to CVD. A conspicuous characteristic of this healthcare epidemic is that most CVD is higher in men than in age-matched premenopausal women, yet reasons for these obvious sex differences remain poorly understood. Driven by clinical case and epidemiological studies and supported by animal experiments, a strong dogma emerged early on that testosterone (TES) exerts deleterious effects on cardiovascular health and exacerbates development of CVD and metabolic dysfunctions in men. In this review, earlier and more recent clinical and experimental animal evidence of cardiovascular and metabolic effects of androgens are discussed. The more recent evidence overwhelmingly suggests that it is progressive, age-dependent declines in TES levels in men that exacerbate CVD and metabolic dysfunctions, while TES exerts beneficial systemic hypotensive effects and protects against metabolic syndrome (MetS) and type2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Recent findings reveal existence of bi-directional modulation of glucose and fat homeostasis by TES in females vs males, such that age-dependent declines in TES levels in males and abnormal increases in normally low TES levels in females both result in similar dysfunction in glucose and fat homeostasis, resulting in development of MetS and T2DM, central risk factors for development of CVD, in men as well as women. These findings suggest that the long-held view that TES is detrimental to male health should be discarded in favor of the view that, at least in men, TES is beneficial to cardiovascular and metabolic health.
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Affiliation(s)
- John N Stallone
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology and Michael E. DeBakey Institute for Comparative Cardiovascular Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-4466, United States.
| | - Ahmed K Oloyo
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, Lagos 23401, Nigeria
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3
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Perusquía M. Androgens and Non-Genomic vascular responses in hypertension. Biochem Pharmacol 2022; 203:115200. [PMID: 35926652 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2022.115200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Arterial hypertension is a global public health concern. In the last few years, the interest in androgen deficiency has been growing, and the association between androgens and high blood pressure (BP) is still controversial. One purpose of this review was to summarize the available findings in order to clarify whether male sex steroid hormones have beneficial or harmful effect on BP. The second purpose was to enhance the recognition of the acute non-genomic sex-independent vasorelaxing effect of androgens. Remarkably, BP variation is expected to be a consequence of the androgen-induced vasorelaxation which reduces systemic BP; hence the in vivo vasodepressor, hypotensive, and antihypertensive responses of androgens were also analyzed. This article reviews the current understanding of the physiological regulation of vascular smooth muscle contractility by androgens. Additionally, it summarizes older and more recent data on androgens, and some of the possible underlying mechanisms of relaxation, structural-functional differences in the androgen molecules, and their designing ability to induce vasorelaxation. The clinical relevance of these findings in terms of designing future therapeutics mainly the 5-reduced metabolite of testosterone, 5β-dihydrotestosterone, is also highlighted. Literature collected through a PubMed database search, as well as our experimental work, was used for the present review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mercedes Perusquía
- Departamento de Biología Celular y Fisiología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510 Ciudad de México, México.
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4
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Could Lower Testosterone in Older Men Explain Higher COVID-19 Morbidity and Mortalities? Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23020935. [PMID: 35055119 PMCID: PMC8781054 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23020935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The health scourge imposed on humanity by the COVID-19 pandemic seems not to recede. This fact warrants refined and novel ideas analyzing different aspects of the illness. One such aspect is related to the observation that most COVID-19 casualties were older males, a tendency also noticed in the epidemics of SARS-CoV in 2003 and the Middle East respiratory syndrome in 2012. This gender-related difference in the COVID-19 death toll might be directly involved with testosterone (TEST) and its plasmatic concentration in men. TEST has been demonstrated to provide men with anti-inflammatory and immunological advantages. As the plasmatic concentration of this androgen decreases with age, the health benefit it confers also diminishes. Low plasmatic levels of TEST can be determinant in the infection’s outcome and might be related to a dysfunctional cell Ca2+ homeostasis. Not only does TEST modulate the activity of diverse proteins that regulate cellular calcium concentrations, but these proteins have also been proven to be necessary for the replication of many viruses. Therefore, we discuss herein how TEST regulates different Ca2+-handling proteins in healthy tissues and propose how low TEST concentrations might facilitate the replication of the SARS-CoV-2 virus through the lack of modulation of the mechanisms that regulate intracellular Ca2+ concentrations.
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5
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Sun Y, Sangam S, Guo Q, Wang J, Tang H, Black SM, Desai AA. Sex Differences, Estrogen Metabolism and Signaling in the Development of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. Front Cardiovasc Med 2021; 8:719058. [PMID: 34568460 PMCID: PMC8460911 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2021.719058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a complex and devastating disease with a poor long-term prognosis. While women are at increased risk for developing PAH, they exhibit superior right heart function and higher survival rates than men. Susceptibility to disease risk in PAH has been attributed, in part, to estrogen signaling. In contrast to potential pathological influences of estrogen in patients, studies of animal models reveal estrogen demonstrates protective effects in PAH. Consistent with this latter observation, an ovariectomy in female rats appears to aggravate the condition. This discrepancy between observations from patients and animal models is often called the "estrogen paradox." Further, the tissue-specific interactions between estrogen, its metabolites and receptors in PAH and right heart function remain complex; nonetheless, these relationships are essential to characterize to better understand PAH pathophysiology and to potentially develop novel therapeutic and curative targets. In this review, we explore estrogen-mediated mechanisms that may further explain this paradox by summarizing published literature related to: (1) the synthesis and catabolism of estrogen; (2) activity and functions of the various estrogen receptors; (3) the multiple modalities of estrogen signaling in cells; and (4) the role of estrogen and its diverse metabolites on the susceptibility to, and progression of, PAH as well as their impact on right heart function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanan Sun
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang, China
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Vascular Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shreya Sangam
- Department of Medicine, Krannert Institute of Cardiology, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Qiang Guo
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Suzhou Dushu Lake Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jian Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Vascular Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Haiyang Tang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang, China
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Vascular Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Stephen M. Black
- Department of Cellular Biology and Pharmacology, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
- Center for Translational Science and Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Florida International University, Port St. Lucie, FL, United States
| | - Ankit A. Desai
- Department of Medicine, Krannert Institute of Cardiology, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, United States
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6
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Hye T, Dwivedi P, Li W, Lahm T, Nozik-Grayck E, Stenmark KR, Ahsan F. Newer insights into the pathobiological and pharmacological basis of the sex disparity in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2021; 320:L1025-L1037. [PMID: 33719549 DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00559.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) affects more women than men, although affected females tend to survive longer than affected males. This sex disparity in PAH is postulated to stem from the diverse roles of sex hormones in disease etiology. In animal models, estrogens appear to be implicated not only in pathologic remodeling of pulmonary arteries, but also in protection against right ventricular (RV) hypertrophy. In contrast, the male sex hormone testosterone is associated with reduced survival in male animals, where it is associated with increased RV mass, volume, and fibrosis. However, it also has a vasodilatory effect on pulmonary arteries. Furthermore, patients of both sexes show varying degrees of response to current therapies for PAH. As such, there are many gaps and contradictions regarding PAH development, progression, and therapeutic interventions in male versus female patients. Many of these questions remain unanswered, which may be due in part to lack of effective experimental models that can consistently reproduce PAH pulmonary microenvironments in their sex-specific forms. This review article summarizes the roles of estrogens and related sex hormones, immunological and genetical differences, and the benefits and limitations of existing experimental tools to fill in gaps in our understanding of the sex-based variation in PAH development and progression. Finally, we highlight the potential of a new tissue chip-based model mimicking PAH-afflicted male and female pulmonary arteries to study the sex-based differences in PAH and to develop personalized therapies based on patient sex and responsiveness to existing and new drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanvirul Hye
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy, Abilene, Texas
| | - Pankaj Dwivedi
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Administrative Sciences, University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas
| | - Tim Lahm
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep and Occupational Medicine, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana.,Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology & Physiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana.,Richard L. Roudebush Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Eva Nozik-Grayck
- Department of Pediatrics and Medicine, Cardiovascular Pulmonary Research Laboratories, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Kurt R Stenmark
- Department of Pediatrics and Medicine, Cardiovascular Pulmonary Research Laboratories, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Fakhrul Ahsan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy, Abilene, Texas.,Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, California Northstate University, Elk Grove, California
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7
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Santi D, Spaggiari G, Greco C, Lazzaretti C, Paradiso E, Casarini L, Potì F, Brigante G, Simoni M. The "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" of Endothelial Dysfunction Markers in Human Fertility. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:2584. [PMID: 33806677 PMCID: PMC7961823 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22052584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Endothelial dysfunction is an early event in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and represents the first step in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. The evaluation of endothelial health is fundamental in clinical practice and several direct and indirect markers have been suggested so far to identify any alterations in endothelial homeostasis. Alongside the known endothelial role on vascular health, several pieces of evidence have demonstrated that proper endothelial functioning plays a key role in human fertility and reproduction. Therefore, this state-of-the-art review updates the endothelial health markers discriminating between those available for clinical practice or for research purposes and their application in human fertility. Moreover, new molecules potentially helpful to clarify the link between endothelial and reproductive health are evaluated herein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Santi
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 42121 Modena, Italy; (C.G.); (C.L.); (E.P.); (L.C.); (G.B.); (M.S.)
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Medical Specialties, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Modena, 41125 Modena, Italy;
| | - Giorgia Spaggiari
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Medical Specialties, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Modena, 41125 Modena, Italy;
| | - Carla Greco
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 42121 Modena, Italy; (C.G.); (C.L.); (E.P.); (L.C.); (G.B.); (M.S.)
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Medical Specialties, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Modena, 41125 Modena, Italy;
| | - Clara Lazzaretti
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 42121 Modena, Italy; (C.G.); (C.L.); (E.P.); (L.C.); (G.B.); (M.S.)
- International PhD School in Clinical and Experimental Medicine (CEM), University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 42121 Modena, Italy
| | - Elia Paradiso
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 42121 Modena, Italy; (C.G.); (C.L.); (E.P.); (L.C.); (G.B.); (M.S.)
- International PhD School in Clinical and Experimental Medicine (CEM), University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 42121 Modena, Italy
| | - Livio Casarini
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 42121 Modena, Italy; (C.G.); (C.L.); (E.P.); (L.C.); (G.B.); (M.S.)
- Center for Genomic Research, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 42121 Modena, Italy
| | - Francesco Potì
- Department of Medicine and Surgery-Unit of Neurosciences, University of Parma, 43121 Parma, Italy;
| | - Giulia Brigante
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 42121 Modena, Italy; (C.G.); (C.L.); (E.P.); (L.C.); (G.B.); (M.S.)
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Medical Specialties, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Modena, 41125 Modena, Italy;
| | - Manuela Simoni
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 42121 Modena, Italy; (C.G.); (C.L.); (E.P.); (L.C.); (G.B.); (M.S.)
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Medical Specialties, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Modena, 41125 Modena, Italy;
- Center for Genomic Research, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 42121 Modena, Italy
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8
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Alves JV, da Costa RM, Pereira CA, Fedoce AG, Silva CAA, Carneiro FS, Lobato NS, Tostes RC. Supraphysiological Levels of Testosterone Induce Vascular Dysfunction via Activation of the NLRP3 Inflammasome. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1647. [PMID: 32849566 PMCID: PMC7411079 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Both supraphysiological and subphysiological testosterone levels are associated with increased cardiovascular risk. Testosterone consumption at supraphysiological doses has been linked to increased blood pressure, left ventricular hypertrophy, vascular dysfunction, and increased levels of inflammatory markers. Activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome contributes to the production of proinflammatory cytokines, leading to cardiovascular dysfunction. We hypothesized that supraphysiological levels of testosterone, via generation of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mROS), activates the NLRP3 inflammasome and promotes vascular dysfunction. Methods: Male, 12 week-old C57Bl/6J (WT) and NLRP3 knockout (NLRP3-/-) mice were used. Mice were treated with testosterone propionate [TP (10 mg/kg) in vivo] or vehicle for 30 days. In addition, vessels were incubated with testosterone [Testo (10-6 M, 2 h) in vitro]. Testosterone levels, blood pressure, vascular function (thoracic aortic rings), pro-caspase-1/caspase-1 and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) expression, and generation of reactive oxygen species were determined. Results: Testosterone increased contractile responses and reduced endothelium-dependent vasodilation, both in vivo and in vitro. These effects were not observed in arteries from NLRP3-/- mice. Aortas of TP-treated WT mice (in vivo), as well as aortas from WT mice incubated with testo (in vitro), exhibited increased mROS levels and increased caspase-1 and IL-1β expression. These effects were not observed in arteries from NLRP3-/- mice. Flutamide [Flu, 10-5 M, androgen receptor (AR) antagonist], carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenyl hydrazone (CCCP, 10-6 M, mitochondrial uncoupler) and MCC950 (MCC950, 10-6 M, a NLRP3 receptor inhibitor) prevented testosterone-induced mROS generation. Conclusion: Supraphysiological levels of testosterone induce vascular dysfunction via mROS generation and NLRP3 inflammasome activation. These events may contribute to increased cardiovascular risk.
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MESH Headings
- Androgens/toxicity
- Animals
- Aorta, Thoracic/drug effects
- Aorta, Thoracic/metabolism
- Aorta, Thoracic/physiopathology
- Caspase 1/metabolism
- Inflammasomes/agonists
- Inflammasomes/genetics
- Inflammasomes/metabolism
- Interleukin-1beta/metabolism
- Male
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Knockout
- Mitochondria/drug effects
- Mitochondria/metabolism
- NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/agonists
- NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/deficiency
- NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism
- Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism
- Receptors, Androgen/drug effects
- Receptors, Androgen/metabolism
- Testosterone Propionate/toxicity
- Tissue Culture Techniques
- Vasoconstriction/drug effects
- Vasodilation/drug effects
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliano Vilela Alves
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rafael Menezes da Costa
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Special Academic Unit of Health Sciences, Federal University of Jataí, Jataí, Brazil
| | - Camila André Pereira
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Aline Garcia Fedoce
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Fernando Silva Carneiro
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Núbia Souza Lobato
- Special Academic Unit of Health Sciences, Federal University of Jataí, Jataí, Brazil
| | - Rita C. Tostes
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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9
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Lorigo M, Mariana M, Lemos MC, Cairrao E. Vascular mechanisms of testosterone: The non-genomic point of view. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2020; 196:105496. [PMID: 31655180 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2019.105496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Revised: 09/26/2019] [Accepted: 10/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Testosterone (T) is the predominant endogenous androgen in the bloodstream. At the vascular level, T presents genomic and non-genomic effects, and both effects may overlap. The genomic actions assume that androgens can freely cross the plasma membrane of target cells and bind to nuclear androgen receptors, inducing gene transcription and protein synthesis. The non-genomic effects have a more rapid onset and may be related to the interaction with protein/receptor/ion channels of the plasma membrane. The key T effect at the vascular level is vasorelaxation, which is primarily due to its rapid effect. Thus, the main purpose of this review is to discuss the T non-genomic effects at the vascular level and the molecular pathways involved in its vasodilator effect observed in in vivo and in vitro studies. In this sense, the nuclear receptor activation, the influence of vascular endothelium and the activation or inhibition of ion channels (potassium and calcium channels, respectively) will be reviewed regarding all the data that corroborated or not. Moreover, this review also provides a brief update on the association of T with the risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, namely metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity, atherosclerosis, dyslipidaemia, and hypertension. In summary, in this paper we consider the non-genomic vascular mode of action of androgen in physiological conditions and the main risk factors for cardiovascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margarida Lorigo
- CICS-UBI - Centro de Investigação em Ciências da Saúde, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal.
| | - Melissa Mariana
- CICS-UBI - Centro de Investigação em Ciências da Saúde, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal.
| | - Manuel C Lemos
- CICS-UBI - Centro de Investigação em Ciências da Saúde, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal.
| | - Elisa Cairrao
- CICS-UBI - Centro de Investigação em Ciências da Saúde, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal.
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10
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Montaño LM, Flores-Soto E, Sommer B, Solís-Chagoyán H, Perusquía M. Androgens are effective bronchodilators with anti-inflammatory properties: A potential alternative for asthma therapy. Steroids 2020; 153:108509. [PMID: 31586608 DOI: 10.1016/j.steroids.2019.108509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2019] [Revised: 09/17/2019] [Accepted: 09/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Changes in plasma androgen levels in asthmatic men may be linked to asthma severity, seemingly acting through nongenomic and genomic effects. Nongenomic effects include rapid relaxation of carbachol or antigenic challenge pre-contracted guinea pig airway smooth muscle (ASM) in vitro: testosterone (TES) blocks l-type voltage dependent Ca2+ channels, stored operated Ca2+ channels, inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors and promotes prostaglandin E2 biosynthesis. In ASM at rest, TES lowers basal intracellular Ca2+ concentration and tension, maintaining a proper airway patency keeping steady smooth muscle tension and basal intracellular Ca2+ concentration at rest. Moreover, the bronchospasm in sensitized guinea-pigs was ablated by dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), a precursor of steroids, TES and its metabolites 5α- and 5β-dihydrotestosterone (DHT). On the other hand, genomic effects related to androgens' anti-inflammatory properties in asthma have been recently studied. Briefly, TES negatively regulates type 2 immune response sustained by CD4+ Th2 and group 2 innate lymphoid cells, diminishing allergic airway inflammation in males. Also, novel findings establish that TES decreases interleukin (IL)-17A protein expression produced by CD4+ Th17 cells and therefore neutrophilic airway inflammation. Clearly, DHEA, TES or its 5β-reduced metabolite that possesses minimal androgenic effect, might have potential therapeutic capacities in the treatment of severe asthma via mechanisms distinct from corticosteroid treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis M Montaño
- Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, CDMX, Mexico.
| | - Edgar Flores-Soto
- Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, CDMX, Mexico.
| | - Bettina Sommer
- Departamento de Investigación en Hiperreactividad Bronquial, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias Ismael Cosio Villegas, CDMX, Mexico.
| | - Héctor Solís-Chagoyán
- Laboratorio de Neurofarmacología, Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz, CDMX, Mexico.
| | - Mercedes Perusquía
- Departamento de Biología Celular y Fisiología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, CDMX, Mexico.
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11
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Zhang YX, Wang L, Lu WZ, Yuan P, Wu WH, Zhou YP, Zhao QH, Zhang SJ, Li Y, Wu T, Jiang X, Jing ZC. Association Between High FSH, Low Progesterone, and Idiopathic Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in Women of Reproductive Age. Am J Hypertens 2020; 33:99-105. [PMID: 31504137 DOI: 10.1093/ajh/hpz143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2019] [Revised: 08/27/2019] [Accepted: 08/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND While sex differences characterize susceptibility and severity of idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH), our understanding of the relationship between levels of gonadotropins and sex hormones in fertile women and the disease is limited. We aimed to investigate whether gonadotropin and sex hormone levels in women of reproductive age were associated with risk and mortality of IPAH. METHODS We did a matched case-control study. Cases were reproductive female patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension admitted in Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital (Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China) during 2008-2014. Healthy controls were matched on age and body mass index. We also did a prospective cohort study to assess the effects of hormone levels on mortality in IPAH fertile female patients. RESULTS One hundred sixty-four cases and 133 controls were included. After adjustment for age and body mass index, the odds ratios of having IPAH for follicle-stimulating hormone, testosterone, and progesterone as expressed on natural log scale were 1.51 (95% confidence interval: 1.06, 2.16), 0.42 (0.31-0.57), and 0.52 (0.43-0.63), respectively. In the cohort study with a median follow-up of 77 months, the hazard ratios for dying after adjustment for baseline characteristics and treatments among IPAH patients were 2.01 (95% confidence interval: 1.22-3.30) and 0.78 (95% confidence interval: 0.62-0.98) for follicle-stimulating hormone and progesterone in natural log scale, respectively. CONCLUSIONS In reproductive women with IPAH, high follicle-stimulating hormone and low progesterone tended to be associated with high risk of IPAH and mortality among patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Xin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Pulmonary Vascular Medicine and FuWai Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Lan Wang
- Department of Cardio-Pulmonary Circulation, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wen-Zhao Lu
- Key Laboratory of Pulmonary Vascular Medicine and FuWai Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Ping Yuan
- Department of Cardio-Pulmonary Circulation, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wen-Hui Wu
- Department of Cardio-Pulmonary Circulation, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu-Ping Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Pulmonary Vascular Medicine and FuWai Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Qin-Hua Zhao
- Department of Cardio-Pulmonary Circulation, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Si-Jin Zhang
- Department of Cardio-Pulmonary Circulation, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuan Li
- Department of Cardio-Pulmonary Circulation, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Tao Wu
- Key Laboratory of Pulmonary Vascular Medicine and FuWai Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xin Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Pulmonary Vascular Medicine and FuWai Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Zhi-Cheng Jing
- Key Laboratory of Pulmonary Vascular Medicine and FuWai Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- Department of Cardio-Pulmonary Circulation, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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12
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Hester J, Ventetuolo C, Lahm T. Sex, Gender, and Sex Hormones in Pulmonary Hypertension and Right Ventricular Failure. Compr Physiol 2019; 10:125-170. [PMID: 31853950 DOI: 10.1002/cphy.c190011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) encompasses a syndrome of diseases that are characterized by elevated pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary vascular remodeling and that frequently lead to right ventricular (RV) failure and death. Several types of PH exhibit sexually dimorphic features in disease penetrance, presentation, and progression. Most sexually dimorphic features in PH have been described in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a devastating and progressive pulmonary vasculopathy with a 3-year survival rate <60%. While patient registries show that women are more susceptible to development of PAH, female PAH patients display better RV function and increased survival compared to their male counterparts, a phenomenon referred to as the "estrogen paradox" or "estrogen puzzle" of PAH. Recent advances in the field have demonstrated that multiple sex hormones, receptors, and metabolites play a role in the estrogen puzzle and that the effects of hormone signaling may be time and compartment specific. While the underlying physiological mechanisms are complex, unraveling the estrogen puzzle may reveal novel therapeutic strategies to treat and reverse the effects of PAH/PH. In this article, we (i) review PH classification and pathophysiology; (ii) discuss sex/gender differences observed in patients and animal models; (iii) review sex hormone synthesis and metabolism; (iv) review in detail the scientific literature of sex hormone signaling in PAH/PH, particularly estrogen-, testosterone-, progesterone-, and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)-mediated effects in the pulmonary vasculature and RV; (v) discuss hormone-independent variables contributing to sexually dimorphic disease presentation; and (vi) identify knowledge gaps and pathways forward. © 2020 American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 10:125-170, 2020.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Hester
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care, Occupational and Sleep Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Corey Ventetuolo
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA.,Department of Health Services, Policy and Practice, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Tim Lahm
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care, Occupational and Sleep Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.,Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.,Richard L. Roudebush Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
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13
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Perusquía M, Contreras D, Herrera N. Hypotestosteronemia is an important factor for the development of hypertension: elevated blood pressure in orchidectomized conscious rats is reversed by different androgens. Endocrine 2019; 65:416-425. [PMID: 31203561 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-019-01978-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2019] [Accepted: 06/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Hypotestosteronemia is an aging-associated disease. Little is known about experimental evidence linking androgen deficiency to hypertension. Various androgens are acute vasodilators, both in vitro and in vivo. We aimed to systematically investigate blood pressure (BP) in male normotensive intact or orchidectomized (ORX) Wistar and Wistar-Kyoto rats. Furthermore, we studied the acute antihypertensive responses of testosterone (TES), its precursor (DHEA), or its 5β-reduced metabolite (5β-DHT) in conscious, unrestrained, hypertensive Wistar rats caused by orchidectomy to determine their potency and efficacy. Similarly, the mechanism of their action mediated by nitric oxide (NO) was studied in vivo. METHODS BP of ORX rats was evaluated weekly for 18 weeks by tail cuff plethysmography. Subsequently, BP of ORX Wistar rats was measured by chronic indwelling vascular catheters, arterial, and venous catheters were implanted under anesthesia for BP recording and androgen administration, respectively. Then, a dose-response curve of each androgen was performed. Likewise, the dose-response curve of 5β-DHT, the most potent androgen, was repeated in the presence of a nonselective NO synthase inhibitor (L-NAME) or an inhibitor of endothelial NO synthesis (Endothelin-1). RESULTS ORX rats progressively increased systolic/diastolic BP (167 ± 2.8/141 ± 3.3 mmHg) over 18 weeks. No difference was found between strains. The BP was reduced in a dose-dependent manner caused by i.v. bolus injection of each androgen, with a rank order of potency of: 5β-DHT = DHEA>>TES. Dose-dependent antihypertension induced by 5β-DHT in ORX rats was not abolished in the presence of L-NAME or Endothelin-1. CONCLUSIONS These in vivo experimental findings reveal that hypotestosteronemia is a determining factor for the development of hypertension which is powerfully reduced by androgen administration, and 5β-DHT induces a potent and effective antihypertensive response by a NO-independent mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mercedes Perusquía
- Departamento de Biología Celular y Fisiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, 04510, Mexico City, Mexico.
| | - Daniela Contreras
- Departamento de Biología Celular y Fisiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, 04510, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Nieves Herrera
- Departamento de Biología Celular y Fisiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, 04510, Mexico City, Mexico
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14
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Docherty CK, Harvey KY, Mair KM, Griffin S, Denver N, MacLean MR. The Role of Sex in the Pathophysiology of Pulmonary Hypertension. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2019; 1065:511-528. [PMID: 30051404 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-77932-4_31] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a progressive disease characterised by increased pulmonary vascular resistance and pulmonary artery remodelling as result of increased vascular tone and vascular cell proliferation, respectively. Eventually, this leads to right heart failure. Heritable PAH is caused by a mutation in the bone morphogenetic protein receptor-II (BMPR-II). Female susceptibility to PAH has been known for some time, and most recent figures show a female-to-male ratio of 4:1. Variations in the female sex hormone estrogen and estrogen metabolism modify FPAH risk, and penetrance of the disease in BMPR-II mutation carriers is increased in females. Several lines of evidence point towards estrogen being pathogenic in the pulmonary circulation, and thus increasing the risk of females developing PAH. Recent studies have also suggested that estrogen metabolism may be crucial in the development and progression of PAH with studies indicating that downstream metabolites such as 16α-hydroxyestrone are upregulated in several forms of experimental pulmonary hypertension (PH) and can cause pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell proliferation and subsequent vascular remodelling. Conversely, other estrogen metabolites such as 2-methoxyestradiol have been shown to be protective in the context of PAH. Estrogen may also upregulate the signalling pathways of other key mediators of PAH such as serotonin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Craig K Docherty
- Research Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Katie Yates Harvey
- Research Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Kirsty M Mair
- Research Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Sinead Griffin
- Research Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Nina Denver
- Research Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Margaret R MacLean
- Research Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
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15
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Testosterone, 5α- and 5β-dihydrotestosterone (-DHT) induce an acute in vitro vasorelaxation and in vivo vasodepressor, hypotensive and antihypertensive responses. Our aim was to study whether androgen-induced blood pressure (BP) reduction is involved with a blockade of Ca2+ influx through L-type voltage-operated calcium channels (L-VOCCs) and/or the signaling pathways of α1-adrenoceptors to induce vasoconstriction, which are one of the major mechanisms of BP maintenance. MATERIALS AND METHODS The relaxing potency and efficacy of each androgen in large conduit (thoracic aorta) and resistance (mesenteric) arteries from male hypertensive (SHR) and normotensive (WKY) rats were established. Blood vessels were isometrically recorded and precontracted with KCl or phenylephrine (Phe). RESULTS Androgens induced concentration-dependent vasorelaxation in precontracted arteries from SHR and WKY rats. 5β-DHT was always the most potent vasorelaxant in arteries from SHR. The KCl-induced contraction resulted significantly more sensitive to androgen-induced vasorelaxation than the Phe-induced contraction. On Phe-induced contraction, 5β-DHT was more potent in the mesenteric artery than in the thoracic aorta. CONCLUSIONS The vasorelaxation induced by androgens is mainly mediated by blocking L-VOCCs and in lesser extent by the blockade of multiple signaling pathways operative during α-adrenoceptor-induced vasoconstriction. 5β-DHT regulates vascular resistance and BP by mainly acting in the mesenteric arterial bed, which may explain its outstanding antihypertensive response previously reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucía Isidoro
- a Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina , Universidad Autónoma de Madrid , Madrid , Spain
- b Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Departamento de Biología Celular y Fisiología , Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México , Mexico City , Mexico
| | - Mercedes Ferrer
- a Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina , Universidad Autónoma de Madrid , Madrid , Spain
| | - Mercedes Perusquía
- b Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Departamento de Biología Celular y Fisiología , Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México , Mexico City , Mexico
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16
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Wu WH, Yuan P, Zhang SJ, Jiang X, Wu C, Li Y, Liu SF, Liu QQ, Li JH, Pudasaini B, Hu QH, Dupuis J, Jing ZC. Impact of Pituitary-Gonadal Axis Hormones on Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in Men. Hypertension 2018; 72:151-158. [PMID: 29712743 DOI: 10.1161/hypertensionaha.118.10963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2018] [Revised: 02/19/2018] [Accepted: 04/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The association of sex hormone (estradiol, testosterone, and progesterone) with cardiopulmonary disease has already attracted great attention, especially in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). However, the impact of sex hormones and their pituitary stimulators (follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone) on PAH in men remains unclear. We conducted a prospective cohort study recruiting 95 patients with idiopathic PAH from 2008 to 2014 and following up for a median of 65 months for death. Compared with control, abnormal plasma levels of sex hormones were more common in patients with PAH. Higher estradiol and estradiol/testosterone levels were associated with risk of PAH diagnosis (odds ratio per ln estradiol, 3.55; P<0.001; odds ratio per ln estradiol/testosterone, 4.30; P<0.001), whereas higher testosterone and progesterone were associated with a reduced risk (odds ratio per ln testosterone, 0.48; P=0.003; odds ratio per ln progesterone, 0.09; P<0.001). Fifty patients died during follow-up. Men with higher estradiol had increased mortality (hazard ratio per ln estradiol, 2.02; P=0.007), even after adjustment for baseline characteristics and PAH treatment. According to receiver operating characteristic analysis, patients with PAH with higher estradiol level (≥145.55 pmol/L) had worse 5-year survival rate compared with those with lower estradiol (38.6% versus 68.2%; log-rank test P=0.001). Therefore, our data show higher estradiol, estradiol/testosterone ratio, lower testosterone, and progesterone were associated with increased risk of PAH. Meanwhile, higher estradiol was independently associated with higher mortality in men with PAH. Further studies are needed to explain the origin of these hormonal derangements and their potential pathophysiological implications in PAH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Hui Wu
- From the Department of Cardio-Pulmonary Circulation, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, China (W.-H.W., P.Y., S.-J.Z., Y.L., B.P.)
| | - Ping Yuan
- From the Department of Cardio-Pulmonary Circulation, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, China (W.-H.W., P.Y., S.-J.Z., Y.L., B.P.)
| | - Si-Jin Zhang
- From the Department of Cardio-Pulmonary Circulation, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, China (W.-H.W., P.Y., S.-J.Z., Y.L., B.P.)
| | - Xin Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, FuWai Hospital, and Key Laboratory of Pulmonary Vascular Medicine, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing (X.J., S.-F.L., Q.-Q.L., J.-H.L., Z.-C.J.)
| | - Cheng Wu
- Department of Health Statistics, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China (C.W.)
| | - Yuan Li
- From the Department of Cardio-Pulmonary Circulation, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, China (W.-H.W., P.Y., S.-J.Z., Y.L., B.P.)
| | - Shao-Fei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, FuWai Hospital, and Key Laboratory of Pulmonary Vascular Medicine, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing (X.J., S.-F.L., Q.-Q.L., J.-H.L., Z.-C.J.)
| | - Qian-Qian Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, FuWai Hospital, and Key Laboratory of Pulmonary Vascular Medicine, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing (X.J., S.-F.L., Q.-Q.L., J.-H.L., Z.-C.J.)
| | - Jing-Hui Li
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, FuWai Hospital, and Key Laboratory of Pulmonary Vascular Medicine, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing (X.J., S.-F.L., Q.-Q.L., J.-H.L., Z.-C.J.)
| | - Bigyan Pudasaini
- From the Department of Cardio-Pulmonary Circulation, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, China (W.-H.W., P.Y., S.-J.Z., Y.L., B.P.)
| | - Qing-Hua Hu
- Department of Pathophysiology, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China (Q.-H.H.)
| | - Jocelyn Dupuis
- Montreal Heart Institute Research Center, Université de Montréal, Québec, Canada (J.D.)
| | - Zhi-Cheng Jing
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, FuWai Hospital, and Key Laboratory of Pulmonary Vascular Medicine, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing (X.J., S.-F.L., Q.-Q.L., J.-H.L., Z.-C.J.)
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17
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Cheung AS, Grossmann M. Physiological basis behind ergogenic effects of anabolic androgens. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2018; 464:14-20. [PMID: 28159654 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2017.01.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2016] [Revised: 01/28/2017] [Accepted: 01/29/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) are widely abused by the sporting community. Demonstrating performance enhancing effects of AAS in rigorous scientific studies is fraught with difficulty. In controlled studies, AAS have consistently been reported to increase muscle mass and strength. The clinical evidence that these anabolic effects are independent of, and additive to exercise are supported by preclinical studies suggesting that AAS and exercise affect muscle by overlapping, yet distinct mechanisms. AAS may also improve performance by their actions on other organ systems, such as the vasculature, and the erythropoietic and central nervous system, although this evidence is less strong. While most of the actions of AAS are thought to be mediated via classical androgen receptor-mediated genomic signalling, AAS may also produce rapid effects via non-genomic mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ada S Cheung
- Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia; Department of Endocrinology, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
| | - Mathis Grossmann
- Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia; Department of Endocrinology, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia.
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18
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Giang M, Papamatheakis DG, Nguyen D, Paez R, Blum Johnston C, Kim J, Brunnell A, Blood Q, Goyal R, Longo LD, Wilson SM. Muscarinic Receptor Activation Affects Pulmonary Artery Contractility in Sheep: The Impact of Maturation and Chronic Hypoxia on Endothelium-Dependent and Endothelium-Independent Function. High Alt Med Biol 2017; 17:122-32. [PMID: 27281473 DOI: 10.1089/ham.2015.0116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Giang, Michael, Demosthenes G. Papamatheakis, Dan Nguyen, Ricardo Paez, Carla Blum Johnston, Joon Kim, Alexander Brunnell, Quintin Blood, Ravi Goyal, Lawrence D. Longo, and Sean M. Wilson. Muscarinic receptor activation affects pulmonary artery contractility in sheep: the impact of maturation and chronic hypoxia on endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent function. High Alt Med Biol. 17:122-132, 2015.-Muscarinic receptor activation in the pulmonary vasculature can cause endothelium-dependent vasodilation and smooth muscle-dependent vasoconstriction. Chronic hypoxia (CH) can modify both of these responses. This study aimed to assess the combined influence of CH and maturation on endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent muscarinic-induced vasoreactivity. This was accomplished by performing wire myography on endothelium-intact or endothelium-disrupted pulmonary arterial rings isolated from normoxic or CH fetal and adult sheep. In endothelium-intact arteries, vasodilation was evaluated using cumulative bradykinin doses in phenylephrine and carbachol precontracted pulmonary arterial segments; and vasoconstriction was examined using cumulative doses of carbachol following bradykinin predilation. Effects of nonselective (atropine) and selective M1 (pirenzepine), M2 (AFDX116), and M3 (4-DAMP and Dau5884) muscarinic receptor antagonists were assessed in disrupted arteries. In normoxic arteries, bradykinin relaxation was twofold greater in the adult compared to fetus, while carbachol contraction was fourfold greater. In adult arteries, CH increased bradykinin relaxation and carbachol contraction. In vessels with intact endothelium, maturation and CH augmented maximal response and efficacy for carbachol constriction and bradykinin relaxation. Approximately 50%-80% of adult normoxic and CH endothelium-disrupted arteries contracted to acetylcholine, while ∼50% of fetal normoxic and ∼10% of CH arteries responded. Atropine reduced carbachol-induced contraction in all vessels. Adult normoxic vessels were most responsive to M3 antagonism, fetal to M2 antagonism, while M1 inhibition had no effect. Overall, muscarinic-induced pulmonary arterial contraction is partially endothelium dependent and appears to develop after birth. Fetuses are more reliant on M3 receptors while M2 receptors predominate in adults, whereas CH augments muscarinic-dependent pulmonary vasoconstriction in both.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Giang
- 1 Center for Perinatal Biology, Loma Linda University School of Medicine , Loma Linda, California
| | | | - Dan Nguyen
- 3 Department of Pharmacology, University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy , University, Mississippi
| | - Ricardo Paez
- 1 Center for Perinatal Biology, Loma Linda University School of Medicine , Loma Linda, California.,4 Center for Health Disparities and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University , Loma Linda, California
| | - Carla Blum Johnston
- 1 Center for Perinatal Biology, Loma Linda University School of Medicine , Loma Linda, California.,4 Center for Health Disparities and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University , Loma Linda, California
| | - Joon Kim
- 1 Center for Perinatal Biology, Loma Linda University School of Medicine , Loma Linda, California.,5 Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Loma Linda University School of Medicine , Loma Linda, California
| | - Alexander Brunnell
- 1 Center for Perinatal Biology, Loma Linda University School of Medicine , Loma Linda, California
| | - Quintin Blood
- 1 Center for Perinatal Biology, Loma Linda University School of Medicine , Loma Linda, California
| | - Ravi Goyal
- 1 Center for Perinatal Biology, Loma Linda University School of Medicine , Loma Linda, California
| | - Lawrence D Longo
- 1 Center for Perinatal Biology, Loma Linda University School of Medicine , Loma Linda, California
| | - Sean M Wilson
- 1 Center for Perinatal Biology, Loma Linda University School of Medicine , Loma Linda, California
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19
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Abstract
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the most prevalent non-communicable cause of death worldwide. Testosterone is a sex hormone that is predominant in males but also occurs in lower concentrations in females. It has effects directly on the blood vessels of the cardiovascular system and on the heart, as well as effects on risk factors for CVD. Serum testosterone concentrations are known to decrease with age and reduced testosterone levels are linked to premature coronary artery disease, unfavourable effects on CVD risk factors and increased risk of cardiovascular mortality independent of age. A significant number of men with heart failure demonstrate reduced serum testosterone concentrations and there is early evidence suggesting that low testosterone levels affect cardiac repolarisation. Any association between endogenous testosterone concentrations and CVD in women has yet to be established. Testosterone replacement is used to treat men with hypogonadism but also has cardiovascular effects. This review will present the current evidence, expert opinion and controversies around the role of testosterone in the pathophysiology of CVD and surrounding the use of testosterone treatment and its effects on the cardiovascular system and CVD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolyn M Webb
- Vascular Biology, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London and Department of Cardiology, Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Foundation Trust London, UK
| | - Peter Collins
- Vascular Biology, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London and Department of Cardiology, Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Foundation Trust London, UK
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20
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Marra AM, Benjamin N, Eichstaedt C, Salzano A, Arcopinto M, Gargani L, D Alto M, Argiento P, Falsetti L, Di Giosia P, Isidori AM, Ferrara F, Bossone E, Cittadini A, Grünig E. Gender-related differences in pulmonary arterial hypertension targeted drugs administration. Pharmacol Res 2016; 114:103-109. [PMID: 27771466 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2016.10.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2016] [Revised: 09/30/2016] [Accepted: 10/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
During the last 15 years, a real "paradigm-shift" occurred, due to the development of PAH-targeted drugs, leading to crucial improvements in symptoms, exercise capacity, hemodynamics and outcome of PAH patients. In order to describe differences regarding epidemiology and therapy in PAH according to gender, we performed a review of the available literature in "PubMed" and "Web of Science" databases. In order to find relevant articles, we combined each of the following the keywords "pulmonary arterial hypertension", "gender", "sex", "men", "woman", "male", "female", "phosphodiesterase inhibitors", "endothelin receptor antagonists", "prostanoids". While there is a substantial agreement among epidemiological studies in reporting an increased prevalence of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) among women, male PAH patients are affected by a higher impairment of the right ventricular function and consequently experience poorer outcomes. With regards to PAH-targeted drug administration, endothelin receptor antagonists (ERAs) and prostacyclin analogues (PC) show better treatment results in female PAH patients, while phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (PD5-I) seem to exert a more beneficial effect on male patients. However, to date no clear consensus could be formed by the available literature, which is constituted mainly by retrospective studies. Females with PAH are more prone to develop PAH, while males experience poorer outcomes. Females PAH might benefit more from ERAs and PC, while males seem to have more beneficial effects from PD5-I administration. However, more research is warranted in order to assess the most effective treatment for PAH patients according to gender.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nicola Benjamin
- Centre for Pulmonary Hypertension Thoraxclinic, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christina Eichstaedt
- Centre for Pulmonary Hypertension Thoraxclinic, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Andrea Salzano
- Department of Traslational Medical Sciences, "Federico II" Medicine School, Naples, Italy
| | - Michele Arcopinto
- Department of Traslational Medical Sciences, "Federico II" Medicine School, Naples, Italy
| | - Luna Gargani
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, Pisa, Italy
| | - Michele D Alto
- Department of Cardiology, Second University of Naples - AORN dei Colli - Monaldi Hospital, Naples, Italy
| | - Paola Argiento
- Department of Cardiology, Second University of Naples - AORN dei Colli - Monaldi Hospital, Naples, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Falsetti
- Internal and Sub-intensive Medicine Department, A.O.U. "Ospedali Riuniti", Ancona, Italy
| | - Paolo Di Giosia
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Andrea M Isidori
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Ferrara
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospital "San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona", Italy
| | - Eduardo Bossone
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospital "San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona", Italy
| | - Antonio Cittadini
- Department of Traslational Medical Sciences, "Federico II" Medicine School, Naples, Italy
| | - Ekkehard Grünig
- Centre for Pulmonary Hypertension Thoraxclinic, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
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21
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Huang CK, Lee SO, Chang E, Pang H, Chang C. Androgen receptor (AR) in cardiovascular diseases. J Endocrinol 2016; 229:R1-R16. [PMID: 26769913 PMCID: PMC4932893 DOI: 10.1530/joe-15-0518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2015] [Accepted: 01/13/2016] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are still the highest leading cause of death worldwide. Several risk factors have been linked to CVDs, including smoking, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and gender among others. Sex hormones, especially the androgen and its receptor, androgen receptor (AR), have been linked to many diseases with a clear gender difference. Here, we summarize the effects of androgen/AR on CVDs, including hypertension, stroke, atherosclerosis, abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), myocardial hypertrophy, and heart failure, as well as the metabolic syndrome/diabetes and their impacts on CVDs. Androgen/AR signaling exacerbates hypertension, and anti-androgens may suppress hypertension. Androgen/AR signaling plays dual roles in strokes, depending on different kinds of factors; however, generally males have a higher incidence of strokes than females. Androgen and AR differentially modulate atherosclerosis. Androgen deficiency causes elevated lipid accumulation to enhance atherosclerosis; however, targeting AR in selective cells without altering serum androgen levels would suppress atherosclerosis progression. Androgen/AR signaling is crucial in AAA development and progression, and targeting androgen/AR profoundly restricts AAA progression. Men have increased cardiac hypertrophy compared with age-matched women that may be due to androgens. Finally, androgen/AR plays important roles in contributing to obesity and insulin/leptin resistance to increase the metabolic syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiung-Kuei Huang
- George Whipple Lab for Cancer ResearchDepartments of Pathology, Urology, and The Wilmot Cancer Center, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Soo Ok Lee
- George Whipple Lab for Cancer ResearchDepartments of Pathology, Urology, and The Wilmot Cancer Center, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Eugene Chang
- George Whipple Lab for Cancer ResearchDepartments of Pathology, Urology, and The Wilmot Cancer Center, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA Department of MedicineCase Cardiovascular Institute Research Institute, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Haiyan Pang
- George Whipple Lab for Cancer ResearchDepartments of Pathology, Urology, and The Wilmot Cancer Center, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Chawnshang Chang
- George Whipple Lab for Cancer ResearchDepartments of Pathology, Urology, and The Wilmot Cancer Center, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA Sex Hormone Research CenterChina Medical University/Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
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22
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Musicki B, Bella AJ, Bivalacqua TJ, Davies KP, DiSanto ME, Gonzalez-Cadavid NF, Hannan JL, Kim NN, Podlasek CA, Wingard CJ, Burnett AL. Basic Science Evidence for the Link Between Erectile Dysfunction and Cardiometabolic Dysfunction. J Sex Med 2015; 12:2233-55. [PMID: 26646025 DOI: 10.1111/jsm.13069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Although clinical evidence supports an association between cardiovascular/metabolic diseases (CVMD) and erectile dysfunction (ED), scientific evidence for this link is incompletely elucidated. AIM This study aims to provide scientific evidence for the link between CVMD and ED. METHODS In this White Paper, the Basic Science Committee of the Sexual Medicine Society of North America assessed the current literature on basic scientific support for a mechanistic link between ED and CVMD, and deficiencies in this regard with a critical assessment of current preclinical models of disease. RESULTS A link exists between ED and CVMD on several grounds: the endothelium (endothelium-derived nitric oxide and oxidative stress imbalance); smooth muscle (SM) (SM abundance and altered molecular regulation of SM contractility); autonomic innervation (autonomic neuropathy and decreased neuronal-derived nitric oxide); hormones (impaired testosterone release and actions); and metabolics (hyperlipidemia, advanced glycation end product formation). CONCLUSION Basic science evidence supports the link between ED and CVMD. The Committee also highlighted gaps in knowledge and provided recommendations for guiding further scientific study defining this risk relationship. This endeavor serves to develop novel strategic directions for therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biljana Musicki
- The James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute and Department of Urology, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Anthony J Bella
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery and Department of Neuroscience, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute at the University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Trinity J Bivalacqua
- The James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute and Department of Urology, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Kelvin P Davies
- Department of Urology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Michael E DiSanto
- Department of Surgery/Division of Urology, Cooper University Hospital, Camden, NJ, USA
| | - Nestor F Gonzalez-Cadavid
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center and Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute, Torrance, CA, USA.,Department of Urology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Johanna L Hannan
- Department of Physiology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA
| | - Noel N Kim
- Institute for Sexual Medicine, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Carol A Podlasek
- Departments of Urology, Physiology, and Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Christopher J Wingard
- Department of Physiology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA
| | - Arthur L Burnett
- The James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute and Department of Urology, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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23
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dos Santos RL, da Silva FB, Ribeiro RF, Stefanon I. Sex hormones in the cardiovascular system. Horm Mol Biol Clin Investig 2015; 18:89-103. [PMID: 25390005 DOI: 10.1515/hmbci-2013-0048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2013] [Accepted: 04/29/2014] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Gender-associated differences in the development of cardiovascular diseases have been described in humans and animals. These differences could explain the low incidence of cardiovascular disease in women in the reproductive period, such as stroke, hypertension, and atherosclerosis. The cardiovascular protection observed in females has been attributed to the beneficial effects of estrogen on endothelial function. Besides estrogen, sex hormones are able to modulate blood pressure by acting on important systems as cardiovascular, renal, and neural. They can have complementary or antagonistic actions. For example, testosterone can raise blood pressure by stimulating the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, whereas estrogen alone or combined with progesterone has been associated with decreased blood pressure. The effects of testosterone in the development of cardiovascular disease are contradictory. Although some researchers suggest a positive effect, others indicate negative actions of testosterone. Estrogens physiologically stimulate the release of endothelium-derived vasodilator factors and inhibit the renin-angiotensin system. Although the cardioprotective effects of estrogen are widely appreciated, little is known about the effects of progesterone, which is commonly used in hormone replacement therapy. Progesterone has both vasodilatory and vasoconstrictive effects in the vasculature, depending on the location of the vessel and the level of exposure. Nevertheless, the mechanisms through which sex hormones modulate blood pressure have not been fully elucidated. Therefore, the characterization of those could lead to a better understanding of hypertension in women and men and perhaps to improved forms of therapy.
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24
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Perusquía M, Greenway CD, Perkins LM, Stallone JN. Systemic hypotensive effects of testosterone are androgen structure-specific and neuronal nitric oxide synthase-dependent. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2015; 309:R189-95. [PMID: 25947172 DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00110.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2015] [Accepted: 05/04/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Testosterone (TES) and other androgens exert a direct vasorelaxing action on the vasculature in vitro that is structurally specific and independent of cytosolic androgen receptor (AR). The effects of intravenous androgen infusions on mean arterial blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) were determined in conscious, unrestrained, chronically catheterized, ganglionically blocked (hexamethonium, HEX; 30 mg/kg ip) male Sprague-Dawley (SD) and testicular-feminized male (Tfm; AR-deficient) rats, 16-20 wk of age. BP and HR were recorded at baseline and with increasing doses of androgens (0.375-6.00 μmol·kg(-1)·min(-1) iv; 10 min/dose). Data are expressed as means ± SE (n = 5-8 rats/group). In SD rats, baseline BP and HR averaged 103 ± 4 mmHg and 353 ± 12 beats/min (bpm). TES produced a dose-dependent reduction in BP to a low of 87 ± 4 mmHg (Δ16%), while HR was unchanged (354 ± 14 bpm). Neither BP (109 ± 3 mmHg) nor HR (395 ± 13 bpm) were altered by vehicle (10% EtOH in 0.9% saline; 0.15 ml·kg(-1)·min(-1), iv). In Tfm, TES produced a similar reduction in BP (99 ± 3 to 86 ± 3 mmHg, Δ13%); HR was unchanged (369 ± 18 bpm). In SD, 5β-dihydrotestosterone (genomically inactive metabolite) produced a greater reduction in BP than TES (102 ± 2 to 79 ± 2 mmHg, Δ23%); HR was unchanged (361 ± 9). A 20-μg iv bolus of sodium nitroprusside in both SD and Tfm rats reduced BP 30-40 mmHg, while HR was unchanged, confirming blockade by HEX. Pretreatment of SD rats with neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) inhibitor (S-methyl-thiocitrulline, SMTC; 20 μg·kg(-1)·min(-1) × 30 min) abolished the hypotensive effects of TES infusion on BP (104 ± 2 vs. 101 ± 2 mmHg) and HR (326 ± 11 vs. 324 ± 8 bpm). These data suggest the systemic hypotensive effect of TES and other androgens involves a direct vasodilatory action on the peripheral vasculature which, like the effect observed in isolated arteries, is structurally specific and AR-independent, and involves activation of nNOS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mercedes Perusquía
- Departamento de Biología Celular y Fisiología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México City, México
| | - Clayton D Greenway
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas; and
| | - Lisa M Perkins
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas; and
| | - John N Stallone
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas; and Women's Health Division, Michael E. DeBakey Institute for Comparative Cardiovascular Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
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25
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Mair KM, Johansen AKZ, Wright AF, Wallace E, MacLean MR. Pulmonary arterial hypertension: basis of sex differences in incidence and treatment response. Br J Pharmacol 2014; 171:567-79. [PMID: 23802760 DOI: 10.1111/bph.12281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2013] [Revised: 06/11/2013] [Accepted: 06/21/2013] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a complex disease characterized by elevated pulmonary arterial pressure, pulmonary vascular remodelling and occlusive pulmonary vascular lesions, leading to right heart failure. Evidence from recent epidemiological studies suggests the influence of gender on the development of PAH with an approximate female to male ratio of 4:1, depending on the underlying disease pathology. Overall, the therapeutic strategy for PAH remains suboptimal with poor survival rates observed in both genders. Endogenous sex hormones, in particular 17β oestradiol and its metabolites, have been implicated in the development of the disease; however, the influence of sex hormones on the underlying pathobiology remains controversial. Further understanding of the influence of sex hormones on the normal and diseased pulmonary circulation will be critical to our understanding the pathology of PAH and future therapeutic strategies. In this review, we will discuss the influence of sex hormones on the development of PAH and address recent controversies.
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Affiliation(s)
- K M Mair
- Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
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26
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Perusquía M, Flores-Soto E, Sommer B, Campuzano-González E, Martínez-Villa I, Martínez-Banderas AI, Montaño LM. Testosterone-induced relaxation involves L-type and store-operated Ca2+ channels blockade, and PGE 2 in guinea pig airway smooth muscle. Pflugers Arch 2014; 467:767-77. [PMID: 24872164 DOI: 10.1007/s00424-014-1534-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2014] [Revised: 05/07/2014] [Accepted: 05/09/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
In vascular smooth muscle, it has been described that testosterone (TES) produces relaxation by blocking L-type Ca(2+) channels. Recently, we found that L-type Ca(2+) and store-operated Ca(2+) (SOC) channels are the main membranal structures that provide extracellular Ca(2+) for carbachol (CCh)-induced contraction in airway smooth muscle (ASM). We studied the possible interactions between L-type and SOC channels in TES-induced relaxation in guinea pig ASM. TES (10, 32, 100, and 178 μM) induced a complete relaxation of CCh-precontracted tracheal smooth muscle, and indomethacin partially inhibited this response. In single myocytes, the KCl-induced intracellular Ca(2+) increase ([Ca(2+)]i) was decreased by 32 and completely blocked by 100 nM TES. This androgen (32 and 100 μM) significantly diminished (~25 and 49 %, respectively) the capacitative Ca(2+) entry. Myocytes stimulated with CCh produced a transient Ca(2+) peak followed by a sustained plateau. D-600 was added during the plateau phase, and a partial diminution (~35 %) was observed. A greater decrease (~78 %) was seen when 2-aminoethyl diphenylborinate (2-APB, SOC antagonist) was used. The combination of both drugs completely abolished the Ca(2+) plateau induced by CCh. TES (100 μM) also completely abolished the CCh-induced Ca(2+) plateau. Indomethacin significantly diminished this effect of TES. PGE2 and butaprost proportionally decreased the Ca(2+) plateau as indomethacin blocked it. Sarcoplasmic reticulum refilling was partially, dependently, and significantly diminished by TES. We concluded that TES-induced relaxation involves blockade of L-type Ca(2+) channels at nanomolar and SOC channels at micromolar concentration and PGE2 seems to be also involved in this phenomenon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mercedes Perusquía
- Departamento de Biología Celular y Fisiología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México, DF, México
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27
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Martin YN, Pabelick CM. Sex differences in the pulmonary circulation: implications for pulmonary hypertension. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2014; 306:H1253-64. [PMID: 24610923 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00857.2013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a form of pulmonary hypertension, is a complex disease of multifactorial origin. While new developments regarding pathophysiological features and therapeutic options in PAH are being reported, one important fact has emerged over the years: there is a sex difference in the incidence of this disease such that while there is a higher incidence in females, disease outcomes are much worse in males. Accordingly, recent attention has been focused on understanding the features of sex differences in the pulmonary circulation and the contributory mechanisms, particularly sex hormones and their role in the pathological and pathophysiological features of PAH. However, to date, there is no clear consensus whether sex hormones (particularly female sex steroids) are beneficial or detrimental in PAH. In this review, we highlight some of the most recent evidence regarding the influence of sex hormones (estrogen, testosterone, progesterone, dehydroepiandrosterone) and estrogen metabolites on key pathophysiological features of PAH such as proliferation, vascular remodeling, vasodilation/constriction, and inflammation, thus setting the stage for research avenues to identify novel therapeutic target for PAH as well as potentially other forms of pulmonary hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yvette N Martin
- Department of Anesthesiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota; and
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28
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Abstract
Coronary heart disease is a leading cause of premature death in men. Epidemiological studies have shown a high prevalence of low serum testosterone levels in men with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Furthermore, a low testosterone level is associated in some but not in all observational studies with an increase in cardiovascular events and mortality. Testosterone has beneficial effects on several cardiovascular risk factors, which include cholesterol, endothelial dysfunction and inflammation: key mediators of atherosclerosis. A bidirectional relationship between low endogenous testosterone levels and concurrent illness complicates attempts to validate causality in this association and potential mechanistic actions are complex. Testosterone is a vasoactive hormone that predominantly has vasodilatory actions on several vascular beds, although some studies have reported conflicting effects. In clinical studies, acute and chronic testosterone administration increases coronary artery diameter and flow, improves cardiac ischaemia and symptoms in men with chronic stable angina and reduces peripheral vascular resistance in chronic heart failure. Although the mechanism of the action of testosterone on vascular tone in vivo is not understood, laboratory research has found that testosterone is an L-calcium channel blocker and induces potassium channel activation in vascular smooth muscle cells. Animal studies have consistently demonstrated that testosterone is atheroprotective, whereas testosterone deficiency promotes the early stages of atherogenesis. The translational effects of testosterone between in vitro animal and human studies, some of which have conflicting effects, will be discussed in this review. We review the evidence for a role of testosterone in vascular health, its therapeutic potential and safety in hypogonadal men with CVD, and some of the possible underlying mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel M Kelly
- Department of Human Metabolism, Medical School, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2RX, UK
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29
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Oztekin CV, Gur S, Abdulkadir NA, Lokman U, Akdemir AÖ, Cetinkaya M, Hellstrom WJG. Incomplete recovery of erectile function in rat after discontinuation of dual 5-alpha reductase inhibitor therapy. J Sex Med 2012; 9:1773-81. [PMID: 22568670 DOI: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2012.02759.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
AIM The association of 5-alpha reductase inhibitor (5ARI) therapy and sexual dysfunction has been reported. Some patients claim persistent erectile dysfunction despite long-term discontinuation of 5ARI treatment. The aim of this study was to assess erectile function after cessation of 5ARI therapy using a rat model. METHODS Twenty-six adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into three groups: (i) control (N = 10); (ii) 8-week dutasteride treatment (0.5 mg/rat/day, in drinking water, N = 8); and (iii) 6-week dutasteride treatment followed by a 2-week washout period (N = 8). The experiments were performed after 8 weeks from the initiation of treatment in all groups. In vivo erectile activity and in vitro contractile and relaxant responses of cavernosal smooth muscle were investigated. RESULTS In vivo erectile activity (intracavernosal pressure [ICP]/mean arterial pressure [MAP] and total ICP) in treatment groups were significantly decreased compared with controls (ICP/MAP: P < 0.001 for 2.5 v, 5 v, and 7.5 v; total ICP: P < 0.001 for 5 v and P < 0.01 for 7.5 v). Acetylcholine-induced relaxations were diminished in treatment groups (P < 0.05). Relaxant responses to electrical field stimulation (EFS) were decreased in the 8-week treatment group (P < 0.05) but were similar to controls in the washout group. Sodium nitroprusside (SNP)-induced endothelium-independent relaxations were reduced in the 8-week dutasteride treatment group (P < 0.01), while these responses were restored in the washout group. The contractile responses to the alpha1-adrenergic agonist phenylephrine were decreased in treatment groups compared with controls (P < 0.01). Direct neurogenic contractile responses in the dutasteride groups were significantly lower than controls between 1 and 15 Hz frequencies (but not at 20 Hz) and washout partially restored the responses at 10 and 15 Hz. CONCLUSION Discontinuation of dutasteride improved the relaxant responses to EFS and SNP, while cholinergic and adrenergic responses remained depressed. Our findings suggest a time-dependent detriment of dutasteride on erectile function. The withdrawal/washout effect of 5ARIs on parameters of human sexual function warrants further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cetin Volkan Oztekin
- Department of Urology, Ankara Numune Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
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30
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Campelo AE, Cutini PH, Massheimer VL. Testosterone modulates platelet aggregation and endothelial cell growth through nitric oxide pathway. J Endocrinol 2012; 213:77-87. [PMID: 22281525 DOI: 10.1530/joe-11-0441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of testosterone on the modulation of cellular events associated with vascular homeostasis. In rat aortic strips, 5-20 min treatment with physiological concentrations of testosterone significantly increased nitric oxide (NO) production. The rapid action of the steroid was suppressed by the presence of an androgen receptor antagonist (flutamide). We obtained evidence that the enhancement in NO synthesis was dependent on the influx of calcium from extracellular medium, because in the presence of a calcium channel blocker (verapamil) the effect of testosterone was reduced. Using endothelial cell (EC) cultures, we demonstrated that androgen directly acts at the endothelial level. Chelerythrine or PD98059 compound completely suppressed the increase in NO production, suggesting that the mechanism of action of the steroid involves protein kinase C and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways. It is known that endothelial NO released into the vascular lumen serves as an inhibitor of platelet activation and aggregation. We showed that testosterone inhibited platelet aggregation and this effect was dependent on endothelial NO synthesis. Indeed, the enhancement of NO production elicited by androgen was associated with EC growth. The steroid significantly increased DNA synthesis after 24 h of treatment, and this mitogenic action was blunted in the presence of NO synthase inhibitor N-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester. In summary, testosterone modulates vascular EC growth and platelet aggregation through its direct action on endothelial NO production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrián E Campelo
- Cátedra de Bioquímica Clínica II, Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional del Sur, San Juan 670, Bahía Blanca, Argentina
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31
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Lu Y, Fu Y, Ge Y, Juncos LA, Reckelhoff JF, Liu R. The vasodilatory effect of testosterone on renal afferent arterioles. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012; 9:103-11. [PMID: 22445695 DOI: 10.1016/j.genm.2012.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2011] [Revised: 01/09/2012] [Accepted: 02/19/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sex differences exist in a variety of cardiovascular and renal diseases, and testosterone may contribute to the discrepancy. Afferent arterioles (Af-Arts) are the major resistance vessels in the kidney, and they play an important role in the development of renal injury and hypertension. OBJECTIVE We sought to determine the acute effect and underlying mechanism(s) of action of testosterone on Af-Arts. METHODS The mRNA expression of androgen receptors (ARs) in microdissected Af-Arts was measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). An in vitro microperfusion model was used to measure the diameter of Af-Arts in mice. Nitric oxide (NO) was evaluated by an NO-sensitive fluorescent dye, 4-amino-5-methylamino-2',7'-difluorofluorescein diacetate. RESULTS Testosterone had no effect on microperfused Af-Arts when added to the bath. Therefore, we preconstricted the Af-Arts to approximately 30% with norepinephrine (10(-6) M); administration of testosterone (10(-9)-10(-7) M) subsequently dilated the Af-Arts in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.001; n = 7). The AR mRNA was expressed in microdissected Af-Arts measured by RT-PCR. An AR antagonist, flutamide (10(-5) M), totally blocked the testosterone (10(-8) M)-induced vasodilator effect. Mean (SEM) NO production of the Af-Art wall was increased when testosterone was added to the bath solution after norepinephrine treatment, from 278.4 (12.1) U/min to 351.2 (33.1) U/min (P < 0.05; n = 3). In the presence of NO inhibition with N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (3 × 10(-4) M), the testosterone-induced dilatation was blunted compared with norepinephrine (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Testosterone dilated preconstricted mouse Af-Arts in a dose-dependent manner by activation of ARs and partially mediated by NO.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Lu
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi 39216, USA
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32
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Regional differences in the vasorelaxing effects of testosterone and its 5-reduced metabolites in the canine vasculature. Vascul Pharmacol 2012; 56:176-82. [PMID: 22326440 DOI: 10.1016/j.vph.2012.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2011] [Revised: 12/13/2011] [Accepted: 01/28/2012] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Although the vasorelaxing effects of testosterone (T) and various androgen metabolites have been observed in a variety of blood vessels and species, previous studies have not systematically compared the vasorelaxing effects of androgen metabolites in different vascular beds within the same species. Therefore, we studied the vasorelaxing effects of T and its 5-reduced metabolites (5α- and 5β-DHT) on KCl-induced contractions of the canine left coronary artery, femoral artery and saphenous vein, using standard isometric recordings. KCl contractions were inhibited by each androgen in a concentration-dependent manner from 1.8 to 310μM. Vascular sensitivity and efficacy were expressed as inhibitory concentration 50 (IC₅₀) and maximal relaxation (R(max)), respectively. The coronary artery was significantly more sensitive to androgen-induced vasorelaxation than the saphenous vein or femoral artery. These vasorelaxing responses were unaffected by an antiandrogen (Flutamide) or the sulfhydryl reagent, N-ethylmaleimide, suggesting a nongenomic mechanism independent of signaling mediated by the androgen receptor or G proteins. Concentration-response curves were unchanged in endothelium-denuded preparations; thus, the endothelium appears to have no role in androgen-induced vasorelaxation. 5β-DHT was the most potent androgen in both coronary and femoral artery, but all three androgens were equipotent in the saphenous vein. It is concluded that: 1) significant regional differences exist in vasorelaxing effects of androgen metabolites in the canine vasculature; 2) structural differences in these androgens determine their vasorelaxing efficacy; and 3) regional differences in androgen-induced vasorelaxation may account for some of the conflicting findings reported on the vasorelaxing effects of the androgens.
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33
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Carvalho TD, Mara LSD, Ulbrich A. Reposição hormonal e exercício físico no tratamento da insuficiência cardíaca: revisão sistemática. REV BRAS MED ESPORTE 2011. [DOI: 10.1590/s1517-86922011000600013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
FUNDAMENTAÇÃO: A despeito do pleno uso da terapia farmacológica e não farmacológica, persistem as expressivas morbidade e mortalidade decorrentes da insuficiência cardíaca (IC). No contexto terapêutico é relevante a inibição das inadequadas adaptações neuro-hormonais e metabólicas, sendo bem conhecida a deficiência anabólica que se instala na IC. Mas somente recentemente surgiram alguns estudos sobre os benefícios que adviriam da terapia de reposição ou suplementação de testosterona (TRT). OBJETIVOS: Pesquisar estudos que abordem a TRT na insuficiência cardíaca (IC), em especial os desenvolvidos no cenário ideal de tratamento clínico, que inclui programa de exercício físico. MÉTODOS: Foram consultadas as bases de dados SciELO e PubMed, a base de dados Cochrane de Revisões Sistemáticas e o Registro de Ensaios Controlados da Colaboração Cochrane. RESULTADOS: Os poucos estudos sobre TRT em pacientes com IC evidenciaram melhora da função hemodinâmica, da resistência à insulina, da capacidade funcional e das respostas neuro-hormonal e neuromuscular, evidenciaram as controvérsias quanto à influência sobre o perfil inflamatório, e não constataram mudanças na função e na estrutura cardiovascular central. Entretanto, não foi encontrado nenhum estudo sobre TRT concomitante ao programa de exercícios físicos. CONCLUSÕES: O estágio atual de conhecimento, embora baseado em poucos estudos, permite considerar a TRT no tratamento de pacientes com IC. Não está bem definida a forma ideal da TRT, no que diz respeito à duração do tratamento, critérios de inclusão e exclusão etc. Existe uma grande lacuna na literatura, chamando atenção à inexistência de estudos sobre a TRT concomitante ao tratamento clínico pleno, que inclui um programa de exercícios físicos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tales de Carvalho
- Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina; Clínica de Prevenção e Reabilitação Cardiosport
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Yaylali YT, Fidan Yaylali G, Akin F, Susam I, Bastemir M. Effects of substitutive therapy on right ventricular systolic and diastolic functions in patients with idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. J Endocrinol Invest 2011; 34:e97-101. [PMID: 20820132 DOI: 10.1007/bf03347099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There have been controversial studies evaluating ventricular functions in patients with idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH). A recent study has demonstrated that low serum testosterone levels are associated with increased cardiovascular mortality. AIM We aimed to investigate ventricular functions by standard echocardiography and examine the effects of substitutive therapy on right ventricular (RV) functions in patients with IHH by means of pulsed wave tissue Doppler imaging (PWTDI). METHODS Twenty-three patients with IHH and 31 controls were evaluated by standard echocardiography and PWTDI. Isovolumic acceleration (IVA), myocardial systolic wave (Sm) velocity, myocardial precontraction time (PCTm), and PCTm to contraction time (CTm) ratio were determined as systolic indices. Myocardial relaxation time (RTm), early (Em) velocity, late (Am) velocity, and Em to Am ratio were determined as diastolic indices. RESULTS Peak pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) was significantly higher in control subjects (p=0.008). IVA and Sm values were similar in patients and controls. Em, Am velocities, and their ratios did not differ. PCTm was significantly longer (p=0.001) and PCTm to CTm ratio was significantly higher in patients (p=0.001). These parameters also decreased after replacement therapy, albeit not statistically significantly (p>0.05). PAP was significantly higher after substitutive therapy (p=0.009). CONCLUSIONS Ventricular functions are normal in patients with IHH. Substitutive therapy has no effects on RV functions. However, substitutive therapy may increase PAP in small amounts, which has no immediate clinical implication with short-term use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y T Yaylali
- Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey.
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Ventetuolo CE, Ouyang P, Bluemke DA, Tandri H, Barr RG, Bagiella E, Cappola AR, Bristow MR, Johnson C, Kronmal RA, Kizer JR, Lima JAC, Kawut SM. Sex hormones are associated with right ventricular structure and function: The MESA-right ventricle study. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2011; 183:659-67. [PMID: 20889903 PMCID: PMC3081282 DOI: 10.1164/rccm.201007-1027oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 131] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2010] [Accepted: 09/30/2010] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
RATIONALE Sex hormones have effects on the left ventricle, but hormonal influences on the right ventricle (RV) are unknown. OBJECTIVES We hypothesized that sex hormones would be associated with RV morphology in a large cohort free of cardiovascular disease. METHODS Sex hormones were measured by immunoassay and RV ejection fraction (RVEF), stroke volume (RVSV), mass, end-diastolic volume, and end-systolic volume (RVESV) were measured by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in 1,957 men and 1,738 postmenopausal women. The relationship between each hormone and RV parameter was assessed by multivariate linear regression. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Higher estradiol levels were associated with higher RVEF (β per 1 ln[nmol/L], 0.88; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.32 to 1.43; P = 0.002) and lower RVESV (β per 1 ln[nmol/L], -0.87; 95% CI, -1.67 to -0.08; P = 0.03) in women using hormone therapy. In men, higher bioavailable testosterone levels were associated with higher RVSV (β per 1 ln[nmol/L], 1.97; 95% CI, 0.20 to 3.73; P = 0.03) and greater RV mass and volumes (P ≤ 0.01). Higher dehydroepiandrosterone levels were associated with higher RVSV (β per 1 ln[nmol/L], 1.37; 95% CI, 0.15 to 2.59; P = 0.03) and greater RV mass (β per 1 ln[nmol/L], 0.25; 95% CI, 0.00 to 0.49; P = 0.05) and volumes (P ≤ 0.001) in women. CONCLUSIONS Higher estradiol levels were associated with better RV systolic function in women using hormone therapy. Higher levels of androgens were associated with greater RV mass and volumes in both sexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corey E. Ventetuolo
- Department of Medicine, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York; Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; Radiology and Imaging Sciences, National Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, Bethesda, Maryland; Department of Epidemiology and Department of Biostatistics, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York; Department of Medicine, Penn Cardiovascular Institute, and Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Department of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Center, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado; Department of Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington; and Department of Medicine and Department of Public Health, Weill-Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
| | - Pamela Ouyang
- Department of Medicine, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York; Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; Radiology and Imaging Sciences, National Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, Bethesda, Maryland; Department of Epidemiology and Department of Biostatistics, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York; Department of Medicine, Penn Cardiovascular Institute, and Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Department of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Center, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado; Department of Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington; and Department of Medicine and Department of Public Health, Weill-Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
| | - David A. Bluemke
- Department of Medicine, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York; Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; Radiology and Imaging Sciences, National Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, Bethesda, Maryland; Department of Epidemiology and Department of Biostatistics, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York; Department of Medicine, Penn Cardiovascular Institute, and Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Department of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Center, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado; Department of Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington; and Department of Medicine and Department of Public Health, Weill-Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
| | - Harikrishna Tandri
- Department of Medicine, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York; Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; Radiology and Imaging Sciences, National Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, Bethesda, Maryland; Department of Epidemiology and Department of Biostatistics, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York; Department of Medicine, Penn Cardiovascular Institute, and Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Department of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Center, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado; Department of Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington; and Department of Medicine and Department of Public Health, Weill-Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
| | - R. Graham Barr
- Department of Medicine, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York; Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; Radiology and Imaging Sciences, National Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, Bethesda, Maryland; Department of Epidemiology and Department of Biostatistics, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York; Department of Medicine, Penn Cardiovascular Institute, and Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Department of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Center, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado; Department of Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington; and Department of Medicine and Department of Public Health, Weill-Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
| | - Emilia Bagiella
- Department of Medicine, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York; Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; Radiology and Imaging Sciences, National Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, Bethesda, Maryland; Department of Epidemiology and Department of Biostatistics, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York; Department of Medicine, Penn Cardiovascular Institute, and Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Department of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Center, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado; Department of Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington; and Department of Medicine and Department of Public Health, Weill-Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
| | - Anne R. Cappola
- Department of Medicine, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York; Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; Radiology and Imaging Sciences, National Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, Bethesda, Maryland; Department of Epidemiology and Department of Biostatistics, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York; Department of Medicine, Penn Cardiovascular Institute, and Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Department of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Center, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado; Department of Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington; and Department of Medicine and Department of Public Health, Weill-Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
| | - Michael R. Bristow
- Department of Medicine, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York; Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; Radiology and Imaging Sciences, National Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, Bethesda, Maryland; Department of Epidemiology and Department of Biostatistics, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York; Department of Medicine, Penn Cardiovascular Institute, and Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Department of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Center, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado; Department of Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington; and Department of Medicine and Department of Public Health, Weill-Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
| | - Craig Johnson
- Department of Medicine, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York; Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; Radiology and Imaging Sciences, National Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, Bethesda, Maryland; Department of Epidemiology and Department of Biostatistics, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York; Department of Medicine, Penn Cardiovascular Institute, and Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Department of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Center, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado; Department of Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington; and Department of Medicine and Department of Public Health, Weill-Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
| | - Richard A. Kronmal
- Department of Medicine, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York; Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; Radiology and Imaging Sciences, National Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, Bethesda, Maryland; Department of Epidemiology and Department of Biostatistics, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York; Department of Medicine, Penn Cardiovascular Institute, and Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Department of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Center, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado; Department of Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington; and Department of Medicine and Department of Public Health, Weill-Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
| | - Jorge R. Kizer
- Department of Medicine, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York; Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; Radiology and Imaging Sciences, National Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, Bethesda, Maryland; Department of Epidemiology and Department of Biostatistics, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York; Department of Medicine, Penn Cardiovascular Institute, and Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Department of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Center, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado; Department of Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington; and Department of Medicine and Department of Public Health, Weill-Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
| | - Joao A. C. Lima
- Department of Medicine, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York; Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; Radiology and Imaging Sciences, National Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, Bethesda, Maryland; Department of Epidemiology and Department of Biostatistics, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York; Department of Medicine, Penn Cardiovascular Institute, and Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Department of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Center, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado; Department of Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington; and Department of Medicine and Department of Public Health, Weill-Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
| | - Steven M. Kawut
- Department of Medicine, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York; Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; Radiology and Imaging Sciences, National Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, Bethesda, Maryland; Department of Epidemiology and Department of Biostatistics, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York; Department of Medicine, Penn Cardiovascular Institute, and Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Department of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Center, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado; Department of Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington; and Department of Medicine and Department of Public Health, Weill-Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Chronic heart failure (CHF) is a common condition with significant morbidity despite optimal medical therapy. Standard therapy involves inhibiting the maladaptive changes of metabolism and neuro-hormones that characterize the syndrome of CHF. Anabolic deficiency is a major component of the CHF syndrome and testosterone replacement therapy has been subject to recent trials. RECENT FINDINGS The recent literature shows that physiological testosterone replacement therapy leads to modest improvements in voluntary muscle strength, lean muscle mass, endurance and positive effects on neuro-muscular and baro-receptor reflexes. Long-term efficacy and safety remain unstudied at present. SUMMARY Testosterone replacement therapy appears to improve metabolism and endurance in patients with CHF; further trials will be necessary before widespread use. Physicians who regularly treat patients with CHF may consider testosterone therapy but it is likely that they will require the advice and support from endocrine specialists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris J Malkin
- Department of Cardiology Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK
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Abstract
The endothelium is a dynamic interface between the blood vessel and the circulating blood that plays a pivotal role in vascular homeostasis. As such, studies on sex steroid regulation of endothelial function are critical to understanding the role of sex steroids in cardiovascular health and disease. The classical model of steroid action involves liganded steroid receptors binding to specific response elements on target genes to regulate gene transcription. In whole organisms, the time lag between steroid administration and observable effects produced by newly synthesized protein is typically in the order of hours to days. And yet, some effects of steroids, such as vasodilatation, occur within seconds to minutes of steroid administration. Studies in multiple cell types have also shown that steroids can cause the rapid initiation of multiple signaling cascades and second messenger systems, prompting investigations into alternate, transcription independent mechanisms of steroid action. Studies of the endothelium over the past two decades have revealed fundamental mechanisms in rapid sex steroid signaling. In particular, endothelium-dependent vasodilatation by estradiol-induced activation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase has proven to be an uniquely informative model to study sex steroid signaling via classical sex steroid receptors localized to the cell membrane. Despite the complexity of feedback and cross talk between rapid sex steroid signaling and other modes of steroid action, recent studies in this field are facilitating the development of steroidal drugs that selectively target the ability of sex steroids to initiate signaling cascades.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renee W Y Chow
- Heart Research Institute, 7 Eliza Street, Newtown, Sydney, New South Wales 2042, Australia
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Perusquía M, Stallone JN. Do androgens play a beneficial role in the regulation of vascular tone? Nongenomic vascular effects of testosterone metabolites. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2010; 298:H1301-7. [PMID: 20228257 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00753.2009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The marked sexual dimorphism that exists in human cardiovascular diseases has led to the dogmatic concept that testosterone (Tes) has deleterious effects and exacerbates the development of cardiovascular disease in males. While some animal studies suggest that Tes does exert deleterious effects by enhancing vascular tone through acute or chronic mechanisms, accumulating evidence suggests that Tes and other androgens exert beneficial effects by inducing rapid vasorelaxation of vascular smooth muscle through nongenomic mechanisms. While this effect frequently has been observed in large arteries at micromolar concentrations, more recent studies have reported vasorelaxation of smaller resistance arteries at nanomolar (physiological) concentrations. The key mechanism underlying Tes-induced vasorelaxation appears to be the modulation of vascular smooth muscle ion channel function, particularly the inactivation of L-type voltage-operated Ca(2+) channels and/or the activation of voltage-operated and Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channels. Studies employing Tes analogs and metabolites reveal that androgen-induced vasodilation is a structurally specific nongenomic effect that is fundamentally different than the genomic effects on reproductive targets. For example, 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone exhibits potent genomic-androgenic effects but only moderate vasorelaxing activity, whereas its isomer 5beta-dihydrotestosterone is devoid of androgenic effects but is a highly efficacious vasodilator. These findings suggest that the dihydro-metabolites of Tes or other androgen analogs devoid of androgenic or estrogenic effects could have useful therapeutic roles in hypertension, erectile dysfunction, prostatic ischemia, or other vascular dysfunctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mercedes Perusquía
- Dept. of Veterinary Physiology & Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-4466, USA.
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