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Roth L, Dogan S, Tuna BG, Aranyi T, Benitez S, Borrell-Pages M, Bozaykut P, De Meyer GRY, Duca L, Durmus N, Fonseca D, Fraenkel E, Gillery P, Giudici A, Jaisson S, Johansson M, Julve J, Lucas-Herald AK, Martinet W, Maurice P, McDonnell BJ, Ozbek EN, Pucci G, Pugh CJA, Rochfort KD, Roks AJM, Rotllan N, Shadiow J, Sohrabi Y, Spronck B, Szeri F, Terentes-Printzios D, Tunc Aydin E, Tura-Ceide O, Ucar E, Yetik-Anacak G. Pharmacological modulation of vascular ageing: A review from VascAgeNet. Ageing Res Rev 2023; 92:102122. [PMID: 37956927 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2023.102122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/20/2023]
Abstract
Vascular ageing, characterized by structural and functional changes in blood vessels of which arterial stiffness and endothelial dysfunction are key components, is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular and other age-related diseases. As the global population continues to age, understanding the underlying mechanisms and developing effective therapeutic interventions to mitigate vascular ageing becomes crucial for improving cardiovascular health outcomes. Therefore, this review provides an overview of the current knowledge on pharmacological modulation of vascular ageing, highlighting key strategies and promising therapeutic targets. Several molecular pathways have been identified as central players in vascular ageing, including oxidative stress and inflammation, the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, cellular senescence, macroautophagy, extracellular matrix remodelling, calcification, and gasotransmitter-related signalling. Pharmacological and dietary interventions targeting these pathways have shown potential in ameliorating age-related vascular changes. Nevertheless, the development and application of drugs targeting vascular ageing is complicated by various inherent challenges and limitations, such as certain preclinical methodological considerations, interactions with exercise training and sex/gender-related differences, which should be taken into account. Overall, pharmacological modulation of endothelial dysfunction and arterial stiffness as hallmarks of vascular ageing, holds great promise for improving cardiovascular health in the ageing population. Nonetheless, further research is needed to fully elucidate the underlying mechanisms and optimize the efficacy and safety of these interventions for clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lynn Roth
- Laboratory of Physiopharmacology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Soner Dogan
- Department of Medical Biology, School of Medicine, Yeditepe University, Istanbul, Turkiye
| | - Bilge Guvenc Tuna
- Department of Biophysics, School of Medicine, Yeditepe University, Istanbul, Turkiye
| | - Tamas Aranyi
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Budapest, Hungary; Department of Molecular Biology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Sonia Benitez
- CIBER de Diabetes y enfermedades Metabólicas asociadas (CIBERDEM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Cardiovascular Biochemistry, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB SANT PAU), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria Borrell-Pages
- Cardiovascular Program ICCC, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB SANT PAU), Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBER-CV), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Perinur Bozaykut
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Acibadem Mehmet Ali Aydinlar University, Istanbul, Turkiye
| | - Guido R Y De Meyer
- Laboratory of Physiopharmacology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Laurent Duca
- UMR CNRS 7369 Matrice Extracellulaire et Dynamique Cellulaire (MEDyC), Team 2 "Matrix Aging and Vascular Remodelling", Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne (URCA), Reims, France
| | - Nergiz Durmus
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, Turkiye
| | - Diogo Fonseca
- Laboratory of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Care, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Emil Fraenkel
- 1st Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University of Košice, Košice, Slovakia
| | - Philippe Gillery
- UMR CNRS 7369 Matrice Extracellulaire et Dynamique Cellulaire (MEDyC), Team 2 "Matrix Aging and Vascular Remodelling", Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne (URCA), Reims, France; Laboratoire de Biochimie-Pharmacologie-Toxicologie, Centre Hospitalier et Universitaire de Reims, Reims, France
| | - Alessandro Giudici
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, CARIM School for Cardiovascular Diseases, Maastricht University, the Netherlands; GROW School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University, the Netherlands
| | - Stéphane Jaisson
- UMR CNRS 7369 Matrice Extracellulaire et Dynamique Cellulaire (MEDyC), Team 2 "Matrix Aging and Vascular Remodelling", Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne (URCA), Reims, France; Laboratoire de Biochimie-Pharmacologie-Toxicologie, Centre Hospitalier et Universitaire de Reims, Reims, France
| | | | - Josep Julve
- CIBER de Diabetes y enfermedades Metabólicas asociadas (CIBERDEM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition group, Institut de Recerca Sant Pau (IR SANT PAU), Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Wim Martinet
- Laboratory of Physiopharmacology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Pascal Maurice
- UMR CNRS 7369 Matrice Extracellulaire et Dynamique Cellulaire (MEDyC), Team 2 "Matrix Aging and Vascular Remodelling", Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne (URCA), Reims, France
| | - Barry J McDonnell
- Centre for Cardiovascular Health and Ageing, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Emine Nur Ozbek
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ege University, Izmir, Turkiye
| | - Giacomo Pucci
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Christopher J A Pugh
- Centre for Cardiovascular Health and Ageing, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Keith D Rochfort
- School of Nursing, Psychotherapy, and Community Health, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Anton J M Roks
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Vascular Disease and Pharmacology, Erasmus Medical Center, Erasmus University, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Noemi Rotllan
- CIBER de Diabetes y enfermedades Metabólicas asociadas (CIBERDEM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Pathophysiology of lipid-related diseases, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB SANT PAU), Barcelona, Spain
| | - James Shadiow
- School of Kinesiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Yahya Sohrabi
- Molecular Cardiology, Dept. of Cardiology I - Coronary and Peripheral Vascular Disease, University Hospital Münster, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität, 48149 Münster, Germany; Department of Medical Genetics, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 100 00 Prague, Czechia
| | - Bart Spronck
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, CARIM School for Cardiovascular Diseases, Maastricht University, the Netherlands; Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Australia
| | - Flora Szeri
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Dimitrios Terentes-Printzios
- First Department of Cardiology, Hippokration Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Elif Tunc Aydin
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital of Ataturk Training and Research Hospital, Katip Celebi University, Izmir, Turkiye
| | - Olga Tura-Ceide
- Biomedical Research Institute-IDIBGI, Girona, Spain; Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Hospital Clínic-Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS); University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red (CIBER) de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Madrid, Spain
| | - Eda Ucar
- Department of Biophysics, School of Medicine, Yeditepe University, Istanbul, Turkiye
| | - Gunay Yetik-Anacak
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ege University, Izmir, Turkiye; Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Acıbadem Mehmet Aydinlar University, Istanbul, Turkiye.
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2
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Moreira Allgayer RMC, Borba GDS, Moraes RS, Ramos RB, Spritzer PM. The Effect of Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy on the Risk of Subclinical Atherosclerosis in the Transgender Population: A Systematic Review. Endocr Pract 2023:S1530-891X(22)00909-0. [PMID: 36603652 DOI: 10.1016/j.eprac.2022.12.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The impact of gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) on cardiovascular (CV) health is still not entirely established. A systematic review was conducted to summarize the evidence on the risk of subclinical atherosclerosis in transgender people receiving GAHT. METHODS A systematic review was performed following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines, and data were searched in PubMed, LILACS, EMBASE, and Scopus databases for cohort, case-control, and cross-sectional studies or randomized clinical trials, including transgender people receiving GAHT. Transgender men and women before and during/after GAHT for at least 2 months, compared with cisgender men and women or hormonally untreated transgender persons. Studies reporting changes in variables related to endothelial function, arterial stiffness, autonomic function, and blood markers of inflammation/coagulation associated with CV risk were included. RESULTS From 159 potentially eligible studies initially identified, 12 were included in the systematic review (8 cross-sectional and 4 cohort studies). Studies of trans men receiving GAHT reported increased carotid thickness, brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity, and decreased vasodilation. Studies of trans women receiving GAHT reported decreased interleukin 6, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, and tissue plasminogen activator levels and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity, with variations in flow-mediated dilation and arterial stiffness depending on the type of treatment and route of administration. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that GAHT is associated with an increased risk of subclinical atherosclerosis in transgender men but may have either neutral or beneficial effects in transgender women. The evidence produced is not entirely conclusive, suggesting that additional studies are warranted in the context of primary prevention of CV disease in the transgender population receiving GAHT. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION PROSPERO, identifier CRD42022323757.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta M C Moreira Allgayer
- Gynecological Endocrinology Unit, Division of Endocrinology, and Gender Identity Program, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil; Post-graduate Program in Endocrinology, Medicine School, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Gustavo da Silva Borba
- Gynecological Endocrinology Unit, Division of Endocrinology, and Gender Identity Program, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Ruy Silveira Moraes
- Division of Cardiology, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Ramon Bossardi Ramos
- Post-graduate Program in Endocrinology, Medicine School, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil; Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Albany Medical College, Albany, New York
| | - Poli Mara Spritzer
- Gynecological Endocrinology Unit, Division of Endocrinology, and Gender Identity Program, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil; Post-graduate Program in Endocrinology, Medicine School, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil; Department of Physiology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
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Kehmeier MN, Walker AE. Sex Differences in Large Artery Stiffness: Implications for Cerebrovascular Dysfunction and Alzheimer’s Disease. FRONTIERS IN AGING 2021; 2. [PMID: 35072153 PMCID: PMC8782423 DOI: 10.3389/fragi.2021.791208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Two in every three Alzheimer’s disease diagnoses are females, calling attention to the need to understand sexual dimorphisms with aging and neurodegenerative disease progression. Dysfunction and damage to the vasculature with aging are strongly linked to Alzheimer’s disease. With aging there is an increase in stiffness of the large elastic arteries, and this stiffening is associated with cerebrovascular dysfunction and cognitive impairment. However, it is unclear how the deleterious effects of arterial stiffness may differ between females and males. While environmental, chromosomal, and sex hormone factors influence aging, there is evidence that the deficiency of estrogen post-menopause in females is a contributor to vascular aging and Alzheimer’s disease progression. The purpose of this mini review is to describe the recent developments in our understanding of sex differences in large artery stiffness, cerebrovascular dysfunction, and cognitive impairment, and their intricate relations. Furthermore, we will focus on the impact of the loss of estrogen post-menopause as a potential driving factor for these outcomes. Overall, a better understanding of how sex differences influence aging physiology is crucial to the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
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Laakkonen EK, Karppinen JE, Lehti S, Lee E, Pesonen E, Juppi HK, Kujala UM, Haapala EA, Aukee P, Laukkanen JA, Ihalainen JK. Associations of Sex Hormones and Hormonal Status With Arterial Stiffness in a Female Sample From Reproductive Years to Menopause. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:765916. [PMID: 34917027 PMCID: PMC8669797 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.765916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Loss of sex hormones has been suggested to underlie menopause-associated increment in cardiovascular risk. We investigated associations of sex hormones with arterial stiffness in 19-58-years-old women. We also studied associations of specific hormonal stages, including natural menstrual cycle, cycle with combined oral contraceptives (COC) and menopausal status with or without hormone therapy (HT), with arterial stiffness. METHODS This study includes repeated measurements of 65 healthy women representing reproductive (n=16 natural, n=10 COC-users) and menopause (n=5 perimenopausal, n=26 postmenopausal, n=8 HT-users) stages. Arterial stiffness outcomes were aortic pulse wave velocity (PWVao) and augmentation index (AIx%) assessed using Arteriograph-device. Generalized estimating equation models were constructed to investigate associations of each hormone (wide age-range models) or hormonal stage (age-group focused models) with arterial stiffness. PWVao models with cross-sectional approach, were adjusted for age, relative fitness, fat mass and mean arterial pressure, while models with longitudinal approach were adjusted for mean arterial pressure. AIx% models used the same approach for adjustments and were also adjusted for heart rate. RESULTS Negative and positive associations with arterial stiffness variables were observed for estradiol and follicle-stimulating hormone, respectively, until adjustment for confounding effect of age. In naturally menstruating women, AIx% was higher at ovulation (B=3.63, p<0.001) compared to the early follicular phase. In COC-users, PWVao was lower during active (B=-0.33 - -0.57, p<0.05) than inactive pills. In menopausal women, HT-users had higher PWVao (B=1.43, p=0.03) than postmenopausal non-HT-users. CONCLUSIONS When using wide age-range assessments covering reproductive to menopausal lifespan it is difficult to differentiate age- and hormone-mediated associations, because age-mediated influence on arterial stiffness seemed to overrule potential hormone-mediated influences. However, hormonal status associated differentially with arterial stiffness in age-group focused analyses. Thus, the role of sex hormones cannot be excluded. Further research is warranted to resolve potential hormone-mediated mechanisms affecting arterial elasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eija K. Laakkonen
- Gerontology Research Center, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
- Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
- *Correspondence: Eija K. Laakkonen,
| | - Jari E. Karppinen
- Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Satu Lehti
- Gerontology Research Center, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
- Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Earric Lee
- Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Emilia Pesonen
- Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Hanna-Kaarina Juppi
- Gerontology Research Center, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
- Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Urho M. Kujala
- Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Eero A. Haapala
- Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Pauliina Aukee
- Department Obstetrics and Gynecology and Pelvic Floor Research and Therapy Unit, Central Finland Health Care District, Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Jari A. Laukkanen
- Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Johanna K. Ihalainen
- Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
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Babici D, Kudej RK, McNulty T, Zhang J, Oydanich M, Berkman T, Nishimura K, Bishop SP, Vatner DE, Vatner SF. Mechanisms of increased vascular stiffness down the aortic tree in aging, premenopausal female monkeys. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2020; 319:H222-H234. [PMID: 32530752 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00153.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Protection against increased vascular stiffness in young women is lost after menopause. However, little is known about vascular stiffness in older, premenopausal females, because most of the prior work has been conducted in rodents, which live for only 1-3 yr and do not go through menopause. The goal of the current investigation was to quantitate differences in stiffness down the aortic tree and the mechanisms mediating those differences in older, premenopausal (24 ± 0.7 yr) versus young adult (7 ± 0.7 yr) female nonhuman primates. Aortic stiffness (β), calculated from direct and continuous measurements of aortic diameter and pressure in chronically instrumented, conscious macaque monkeys, increased 2.5-fold in the thoracic aorta and fivefold in the abdominal aorta in old premenopausal monkeys. The aortic histological mechanisms mediating increased vascular stiffness, i.e., collagen/elastin ratio, elastin, and collagen disarray, and the number of breaks in elastin and collagen fibers were greater in the old premenopausal versus young monkeys and greater in the abdominal versus the thoracic aorta and greatest in the iliac artery. In addition, more immature and less cross-linked fibers of collagen were found in the aortas of young females. Aortic stiffness increased in old premenopausal female monkeys, more so in the abdominal aorta than in the thoracic aorta. Histological mechanisms mediating the increased aortic stiffness were augmented in the old premenopausal females, greater in the abdominal versus the thoracic aorta, and greatest in the iliac artery.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This is the first study to examine vascular stiffness down the aortic tree in aging premenopausal females (24 ± 0.7 yr old), whereas prior work studied mainly rodents, which are short-lived and do not undergo menopause. Histological mechanisms mediating vascular stiffness in older premenopausal females increased progressively down the aortic tree, with greater increases in the abdominal aorta compared with the thoracic aorta and with the greatest increases and differences observed in the iliac artery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denis Babici
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Rutgers, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey
| | - Raymond K Kudej
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, North Grafton, Massachusetts
| | - Tara McNulty
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Rutgers, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey
| | - Jie Zhang
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Rutgers, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey
| | - Marko Oydanich
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Rutgers, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey
| | - Tolga Berkman
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Rutgers, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey
| | - Koichi Nishimura
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Rutgers, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey
| | - Sanford P Bishop
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Dorothy E Vatner
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Rutgers, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey
| | - Stephen F Vatner
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Rutgers, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey
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Moreau KL. Intersection between gonadal function and vascular aging in women. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2018; 125:1881-1887. [PMID: 30212304 PMCID: PMC6442668 DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00117.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2018] [Revised: 08/14/2018] [Accepted: 09/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Vascular aging, characterized by endothelial dysfunction and large elastic arterial stiffening, is a major risk factor for age-associated cardiovascular disease (CVD). Although women have a lower prevalence of CVD until midlife, prevalence rates increase rapidly coincident with the menopausal transition to match those observed in men. The menopausal transition, or perimenopause, is a chaotic period that is associated with increased symptoms (e.g., hot flashes, depressed mood, anxiety, sleep disturbances) and CVD risk factors due to changes in the hormonal environment. Because these quality of life factors and CVD risk factors also change with aging, the arteries of women appear to endure a double insult. Our laboratory has been investigating how changes in gonadal function and hormone levels with the menopause transition impacts the vascular aging process in healthy women. Our work has shown that vascular endothelial function progressively declines, and large elastic arterial stiffness is greater across the stages of the menopausal transition. This acceleration in vascular aging may be due to the loss of vasodilatory, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiproliferative effects of estradiol on the vascular wall. This minireview discusses the impact of changes in gonadal function and hormones with the menopausal transition on vascular aging in women and areas for investigations to further our understanding of the intersection between gonadal function and vascular aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerrie L Moreau
- Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus , Aurora, Colorado
- Denver Veterans Administration Medical Center, Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Denver, Colorado
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Ogola BO, Zimmerman MA, Clark GL, Abshire CM, Gentry KM, Miller KS, Lindsey SH. New insights into arterial stiffening: does sex matter? Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2018; 315:H1073-H1087. [PMID: 30028199 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00132.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
This review discusses sexual dimorphism in arterial stiffening, disease pathology interactions, and the influence of sex on mechanisms and pathways. Arterial stiffness predicts cardiovascular mortality independent of blood pressure. Patients with increased arterial stiffness have a 48% higher risk for developing cardiovascular disease. Like other cardiovascular pathologies, arterial stiffness is sexually dimorphic. Young women have lower stiffness than aged-matched men, but this sex difference reverses during normal aging. Estrogen therapy does not attenuate progressive stiffening in postmenopausal women, indicating that currently prescribed drugs do not confer protection. Although remodeling of large arteries is a protective adaptation to higher wall stress, arterial stiffening increases afterload to the left ventricle and transmits higher pulsatile pressure to smaller arteries and target organs. Moreover, an increase in aortic stiffness may precede or exacerbate hypertension, particularly during aging. Additional studies are needed to elucidate the mechanisms by which females are protected from arterial stiffness to provide insight into its mechanisms and, ultimately, therapeutic targets for treating this pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benard O Ogola
- Department of Pharmacology, Tulane University , New Orleans, Louisiana
| | | | - Gabrielle L Clark
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tulane University , New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Caleb M Abshire
- Department of Pharmacology, Tulane University , New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Kaylee M Gentry
- Department of Pharmacology, Tulane University , New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Kristin S Miller
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tulane University , New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Sarah H Lindsey
- Department of Pharmacology, Tulane University , New Orleans, Louisiana
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8
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Harvey RE, Barnes JN, Hart ECJ, Nicholson WT, Joyner MJ, Casey DP. Influence of sympathetic nerve activity on aortic hemodynamics and pulse wave velocity in women. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2016; 312:H340-H346. [PMID: 27923789 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00447.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2016] [Revised: 11/14/2016] [Accepted: 11/29/2016] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Central (aortic) blood pressure, arterial stiffness, and sympathetic nerve activity increase with age in women. However, it is unknown if the age-related increase in sympathetic activity influences aortic hemodynamics and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV), an index of central aortic stiffness. The goal of this study was to determine if aortic hemodynamics and cfPWV are directly influenced by sympathetic nerve activity by measuring aortic hemodynamics, cfPWV, and muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) in women before and during autonomic ganglionic blockade with trimethaphan camsylate. We studied 12 young premenopausal (23 ± 4 yr) and 12 older postmenopausal (57 ± 3 yr) women. These women did not differ in body mass index or mean arterial pressure (P > 0.05 for both). At baseline, postmenopausal women had higher aortic pulse pressure, augmented pressure, augmentation index adjusted for a heart rate of 75 beats/min, wasted left ventricular pressure energy, and cfPWV than young women (P < 0.05). During ganglionic blockade, postmenopausal women had a greater decrease in these variables in comparison to young women (P < 0.05). Additionally, baseline MSNA was negatively correlated with the reductions in aortic pulse pressure, augmented pressure, and wasted left ventricular pressure energy during ganglionic blockade in postmenopausal women (P < 0.05) but not young women. Baseline MSNA was not correlated with the changes in augmentation index adjusted for a heart rate of 75 beats/min or cfPWV in either group (P > 0.05 for all). Our results suggest that some aortic hemodynamic parameters are influenced by sympathetic activity to a greater extent in older postmenopausal women than in young premenopausal women.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Autonomic ganglionic blockade results in significant decreases in multiple aortic pulse wave characteristics (e.g., augmented pressure) and central pulse wave velocity in older postmenopausal women but not in young premenopausal women. Certain aortic pulse wave parameters are negatively influenced by sympathetic activity to a greater extent in older postmenopausal women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronée E Harvey
- Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.,Department of Anesthesiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota; and
| | - Jill N Barnes
- Department of Kinesiology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
| | | | - Wayne T Nicholson
- Department of Anesthesiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota; and
| | - Michael J Joyner
- Department of Anesthesiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota; and
| | - Darren P Casey
- Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
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Vaidya D, Golden SH, Haq N, Heckbert SR, Liu K, Ouyang P. Association of sex hormones with carotid artery distensibility in men and postmenopausal women: multi-ethnic study of atherosclerosis. Hypertension 2015; 65:1020-5. [PMID: 25753974 DOI: 10.1161/hypertensionaha.114.04826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2014] [Accepted: 02/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The decline in carotid distensibility with age is steeper in women than in men, however, the correlates of this sex difference are not known. We examined the association of bioavailable testosterone, estradiol, dehydroepiandrosterone, and sex hormone-binding globulin, in 2783 postmenopausal women and 2987 men aged 45 to 84 years at the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis baseline examination. Carotid artery lumen diameters by ultrasound and brachial artery blood pressures were measured at systole and diastole. Regression models to determine the association of carotid distensibility coefficient and lumen diameter with sex-specific quartiles of sex hormones were adjusted for age, race, height, weight, diabetes mellitus, current smoking, antihypertensive medication use, total and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, and hormone replacement therapy in women. A higher DC indicates a more distensible vessel. In women, higher dehydroepiandrosterone (P=0.008) and lower sex hormone-binding globulin (P=0.039) were associated with lower distensibility; higher dehydroepiandrosterone and lower estradiol were associated with smaller carotid diameters. In men, higher Bio-T (P=0.009) and lower estradiol (P=0.007) were associated with greater distensibility and also with smaller diameters (P=0.012 and 0.002, respectively). An androgenic internal milieu is associated with lesser carotid distensibility and diameter remodeling in women, but the opposite is true for men. Higher levels of estradiol are associated with smaller carotid diameters in both the sexes. Future longitudinal and experimental studies are needed to reveal the mechanism and clinical consequences of these associations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dhananjay Vaidya
- From the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD (D.V., S.H.G., N.H., P.O.); Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle (S.R.H.); and Northwestern University School of Medicine, Chicago, IL (K.L.).
| | - Sherita H Golden
- From the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD (D.V., S.H.G., N.H., P.O.); Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle (S.R.H.); and Northwestern University School of Medicine, Chicago, IL (K.L.)
| | - Nowreen Haq
- From the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD (D.V., S.H.G., N.H., P.O.); Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle (S.R.H.); and Northwestern University School of Medicine, Chicago, IL (K.L.)
| | - Susan R Heckbert
- From the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD (D.V., S.H.G., N.H., P.O.); Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle (S.R.H.); and Northwestern University School of Medicine, Chicago, IL (K.L.)
| | - Kiang Liu
- From the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD (D.V., S.H.G., N.H., P.O.); Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle (S.R.H.); and Northwestern University School of Medicine, Chicago, IL (K.L.)
| | - Pamela Ouyang
- From the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD (D.V., S.H.G., N.H., P.O.); Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle (S.R.H.); and Northwestern University School of Medicine, Chicago, IL (K.L.)
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Abstract
Vascular aging, featuring endothelial dysfunction and large artery stiffening, is a major risk factor for developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). In women, vascular aging appears to be accelerated during the menopause transition, particularly around the late perimenopausal period, presumably related to declines in ovarian function and estrogen levels. The mechanisms underlying endothelial dysfunction and large artery stiffening with the menopause transition are not completely understood. Oxidative stress and the proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-α contribute to endothelial dysfunction and large artery stiffening in estrogen-deficient postmenopausal women. Habitual endurance exercise attenuates the age-related increase in large artery stiffness in estrogen-deficient postmenopausal women and can reverse arterial stiffening to premenopausal levels in estrogen-replete postmenopausal women. In contrast, estrogen status appears to play a key permissive role in the adaptive response of the endothelium to habitual endurance exercise in that endothelial improvements are absent in estrogen-deficient women but present in estrogen-replete women. We review here the current state of knowledge on the biological defects underlying vascular aging across the menopause transition, with particular focus on potential mechanisms, the role of habitual exercise in preserving vascular health, and key areas for future research.
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11
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Moreau KL, Meditz A, Deane KD, Kohrt WM. Tetrahydrobiopterin improves endothelial function and decreases arterial stiffness in estrogen-deficient postmenopausal women. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2012; 302:H1211-8. [PMID: 22245769 PMCID: PMC3311456 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.01065.2011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2011] [Accepted: 01/09/2012] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
The mechanisms mediating arterial stiffening with aging and menopause are not completely understood. We determined whether administration of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH(4)), a critical cofactor for endothelial nitric oxide synthase to produce nitric oxide, would increase vascular endothelial-dependent vasodilatory tone and decrease arterial stiffness in estrogen-deficient postmenopausal women. Additionally, we examined whether the beneficial effects of estrogen on vascular function were possibly related to BH(4). Arterial stiffness (carotid artery compliance) and endothelial-dependent vasodilation [brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD)] were measured in postmenopausal (n = 24; 57 ± 1 yr, mean ± SE) and eumenorrheic premenopausal (n = 9; 33 ± 2 yr) women before and 3 h after the oral administration of BH(4). Subsequently, in postmenopausal women, vascular testing (before and after BH(4)) was repeated following randomization to either 2 days of transdermal estradiol or placebo. Baseline carotid artery compliance and brachial artery FMD were lower in postmenopausal than in premenopausal women (P < 0.0001). BH(4) administration increased carotid artery compliance (0.61 ± 0.05 to 0.73 ± 0.04 mm(2)·mmHg(-1)·10(-1) vs. baseline, P < 0.0001) and brachial artery FMD (P < 0.001) in postmenopausal women but had no effect in premenopausal women (P = 0.62). Carotid artery compliance (0.59 ± 0.05 to 0.78 ± 0.06 mm(2)·mmHg(-1)·10(-1), P < 0.001) and FMD increased in postmenopausal women in response to estradiol (P = 0.02) but were not further improved with the coadministration of BH(4), possibly because estrogen increased BH(4) bioavailability. Carotid artery compliance and FMD increased with BH(4) in the placebo group (P = 0.02). Although speculative, these results suggest that reduced vascular BH(4) may be an important contributor to arterial stiffening in estrogen-deficient postmenopausal women, related in part to reduced endothelial-dependent vasodilatory tone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerrie L Moreau
- Divisions of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado.
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12
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Hougaku H, Fleg JL, Najjar SS, Lakatta EG, Harman SM, Blackman MR, Metter EJ. Relationship between androgenic hormones and arterial stiffness, based on longitudinal hormone measurements. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 2006; 290:E234-42. [PMID: 16159908 DOI: 10.1152/ajpendo.00059.2005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Circulating testosterone levels (T) decrease with age in men. Low T has been associated with coronary disease and with risk factors for atherosclerosis. This study examines the relationship in men between androgenic hormones and arterial stiffness, a major risk factor for cardiovascular events. T, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) were measured longitudinally over 33 yr (follow-up 11.8 +/- 8.3 yr) in 901 men from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging, of whom 206 (68.1 +/- 13.7 yr) underwent carotid duplex ultrasonography. The 901 men were used to characterize age-associated hormone levels by means of mixed-effects models. Hormone values were estimated for the 206 men at the time of ultrasonography. Free T index (FTI) was calculated by dividing T by SHBG. The arterial stiffness index was calculated from peak systolic and end diastolic diameters of the common carotid artery and simultaneous brachial artery blood pressure. T, FTI, and DHEAS were correlated negatively with age, pulse pressure (PP), and stiffness index (each P < 0.01), whereas SHBG was correlated positively with age and stiffness index (P < 0.01). However, T was the only hormone that predicted the stiffness index after adjustment for age, PP, fasting plasma glucose, body mass index, and total cholesterol. T values 5-10 yr before the carotid study also predicted the stiffness index (P < 0.05). Thus the adverse influence of low T on the cardiovascular system in men may be mediated in part via the effects of T on vascular structure and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hidetaka Hougaku
- Clinical Research Branch, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21225, USA
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Sato H, Hayashi J, Harashima K, Shimazu H, Kitamoto K. A population-based study of arterial stiffness index in relation to cardiovascular risk factors. J Atheroscler Thromb 2005; 12:175-80. [PMID: 16020919 DOI: 10.5551/jat.12.175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
We investigated the relation of arterial stiffness, considered an independent predictor of cardiovascular events, to cardiovascular risk factors in a population-based study of 1023 subjects. An Arterial Stiffness Index (ASI) was developed to evaluate arterial stiffness based on an analysis of the pulse wave amplitude pattern acquired from measurements of brachial blood pressure. In control subjects (n = 266) without any major risk factors, the ASI was 46 +/- 11, and increased with age (r = 0.346). The ASI was significantly higher in women ranging from 50 to 54 years of age than in age-matched men. The ASI rose in correlation with the number of risk factors. Subjects with two risk factors showed a significantly higher ASI than those without any risk factors (54 +/- 26 vs. 46 +/- 11). The ASI was significantly increased in diabetic subjects with hypertension in comparison to those without hypertension. Furthermore, hyperlipidemic subjects with hypertension showed significantly higher values than those without hypertension. ASI could be a useful predictor of cardiovascular events in hypertensive subjects with multiple risk factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hideaki Sato
- Department of General Medicine, School of Medicine, Kyorin University, Mitakashi, Tokyo, Japan
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Wong J, Wong S, Handa P, Abbott C. Hormone replacement use, arterial distensibility, cardiac structure and circadian blood pressure profile in menopausal women. Blood Press 2005; 14:12-20. [PMID: 15823942 DOI: 10.1080/08037050510008797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Observational and interventional studies that evaluate the impact of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on cardiovascular changes have produced inconsistent and inconclusive results. The present study sought to elucidate the influence of HRT on aortic distensibility, left ventricular mass (LVM) and 24-h blood pressure (BP) profile in 38 menopausal women who were either HRT users or non-users. The two groups were similar for age, ambulatory BP, aortic distensibility, cardiac mass, lipid profile and body mass index but differed in clinic diastolic BP (DBP). HRT non-dippers had significantly lower clinic and daytime DBP and a smaller nocturnal BP reduction than dippers. Daytime DBP was significantly and inversely related to duration of HRT use. The present study demonstrates that hormonal therapy after menopause lowers DBP, but shows no significant influence on aortic distensibility, cardiac mass or 24-h BP profile. HRT users who were dippers demonstrated a significantly greater nocturnal BP reduction. Long-term controlled trails are needed to better define the effects of estrogen and progestin on the aorta, the heart and 24-h BP profile in normotensive and hypertensive menopausal women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Wong
- School of Nursing, Dalhousie University, 5869 University Avenue, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada B3H 3J5.
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15
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Scuteri A, Ferrucci L. Blood pressure, arterial function, structure, and aging: the role of hormonal replacement therapy in postmenopausal women. J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich) 2003; 5:219-25. [PMID: 12826785 PMCID: PMC8101833 DOI: 10.1111/j.1524-6175.2003.00683.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The occurrence of natural menopause may indicate that a woman is entering a period of increased risk for cardiovascular disease, due to both chronologic aging and lower levels of estrogen. This brief review aims to demonstrate the relevance of changes in blood pressure and large artery structure and function occurring after menopause. These changes, i.e., thickening and stiffening of large arteries (which, in turn would also result in increased systolic and pulse pressures), were found to predict subsequent cardiovascular events, independently of other known cardiovascular risk. The benefits of early hormone replacement therapy on the life expectancy of women have dramatically lost consensus since publication of the Womens Health Initiative study results. However, the authors believe that those results should increase the attention paid by clinicians and public health researchers to the individualization of hormone replacement therapy prescription for postmenopausal women, and to a better characterization of those vascular parameters and profiles identifying postmenopausal women who are most likely to benefit from specific hormone replacement therapy in terms of cardiovascular protection.
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