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Gonçalves LT, Costa DTD, Rouver WDN, Santos RLD. Testosterone modulates vasodilation in mesenteric arteries of hypertensive rats. Life Sci 2024; 338:122405. [PMID: 38176584 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.122405] [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: 11/05/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
AIMS To evaluate the effects of testosterone on endothelium-dependent vasodilation and oxidative stress in mesenteric resistance arteries. MAIN METHODS Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), aged 8 to 10 weeks, were divided into four groups: intact (SHAM), intact treated with testosterone (TTO; 3 mg/kg/day) via subcutaneous route (s.c.), intact treated with testosterone and anastrozole [aromatase enzyme inhibitor (TTO + ANA; 0.1 mg/kg/day, s.c.)] and intact treated with testosterone and finasteride [5 α-reductase enzyme inhibitor (TTO + FIN; 5 mg/kg/day, s.c.)] for four weeks. Concentration-response curves to acetylcholine (ACh, 0.1 nmol/L - 10 μmol/L) were obtained in mesenteric resistance arteries previously contracted with phenylephrine (PE, 3 μmol/L), before and after the use of selective inhibitors. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were assessed in the vessels and the endothelium analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. KEY FINDINGS TTO group showed a lower participation of nitric oxide (NO), increased oxidative stress, and participation of prostanoids and endothelium-dependent hyperpolarization (EDH), possibly to maintain the vasodilator response. Lower participation of NO and prostanoids, combined to an increased participation of EDH, were observed in the TTO + ANA group, in addition to higher levels of ROS and altered endothelial morphology. The vasodilation to ACh was impaired in TTO + FIN, along increased participation of NO, reduction of prostanoids, and greater EDH-dependent vasodilation. SIGNIFICANCE Testosterone contributes to endothelial vasodilation by enhancing EDH through an increased participation of epoxyeicosatrienoic acids. While the decrease in NO appears to involve the participation of dihydrotestosterone, 17 β-estradiol seems to stimulate the action of the NO pathway and prostanoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leticia Tinoco Gonçalves
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Health Sciences Center, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo (UFES), Vitoria, ES, Brazil
| | - Débora Tacon da Costa
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Health Sciences Center, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo (UFES), Vitoria, ES, Brazil
| | - Wender do Nascimento Rouver
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Health Sciences Center, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo (UFES), Vitoria, ES, Brazil
| | - Roger Lyrio Dos Santos
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Health Sciences Center, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo (UFES), Vitoria, ES, Brazil.
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2
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Brandt MM, Cheng C, Merkus D, Duncker DJ, Sorop O. Mechanobiology of Microvascular Function and Structure in Health and Disease: Focus on the Coronary Circulation. Front Physiol 2022; 12:771960. [PMID: 35002759 PMCID: PMC8733629 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.771960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The coronary microvasculature plays a key role in regulating the tight coupling between myocardial perfusion and myocardial oxygen demand across a wide range of cardiac activity. Short-term regulation of coronary blood flow in response to metabolic stimuli is achieved via adjustment of vascular diameter in different segments of the microvasculature in conjunction with mechanical forces eliciting myogenic and flow-mediated vasodilation. In contrast, chronic adjustments in flow regulation also involve microvascular structural modifications, termed remodeling. Vascular remodeling encompasses changes in microvascular diameter and/or density being largely modulated by mechanical forces acting on the endothelium and vascular smooth muscle cells. Whereas in recent years, substantial knowledge has been gathered regarding the molecular mechanisms controlling microvascular tone and how these are altered in various diseases, the structural adaptations in response to pathologic situations are less well understood. In this article, we review the factors involved in coronary microvascular functional and structural alterations in obstructive and non-obstructive coronary artery disease and the molecular mechanisms involved therein with a focus on mechanobiology. Cardiovascular risk factors including metabolic dysregulation, hypercholesterolemia, hypertension and aging have been shown to induce microvascular (endothelial) dysfunction and vascular remodeling. Additionally, alterations in biomechanical forces produced by a coronary artery stenosis are associated with microvascular functional and structural alterations. Future studies should be directed at further unraveling the mechanisms underlying the coronary microvascular functional and structural alterations in disease; a deeper understanding of these mechanisms is critical for the identification of potential new targets for the treatment of ischemic heart disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maarten M Brandt
- Division of Experimental Cardiology, Department of Cardiology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Caroline Cheng
- Division of Experimental Cardiology, Department of Cardiology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands.,Division of Internal Medicine and Dermatology, Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Daphne Merkus
- Division of Experimental Cardiology, Department of Cardiology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands.,Walter Brendel Center of Experimental Medicine (WBex), LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.,German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Munich, Munich Heart Alliance (MHA), Munich, Germany
| | - Dirk J Duncker
- Division of Experimental Cardiology, Department of Cardiology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Oana Sorop
- Division of Experimental Cardiology, Department of Cardiology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands
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3
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Álvarez-Maestro M, Eguibar A, Chanca P, Klett-Mingo M, Gómez Rivas J, Buño-Soto A, de Bethencourt FR, Ferrer M. Androgen Deprivation Therapy in Patients With Prostate Cancer Increases Serum Levels of Thromboxane A 2: Cardiovascular Implications. Front Cardiovasc Med 2021; 8:653126. [PMID: 33928136 PMCID: PMC8076684 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2021.653126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Androgens have been described as important players in the regulation of vascular function/structure through their action on the release and effect of vasoactive factors, such as prostanoids. Patients with prostate cancer (PCa) under androgen deprivation therapies (ADTs) present increased risk of cardiovascular mortality. Since thromboxane A2 (TXA2) is one of the most studied prostanoids and its involvement in different cardiovascular diseases has been described, the aim of this study was to investigate: (i) the effect of ADT on the serum levels of TXA2 in PCa patients and its possible link to the redox status and (ii) the effect of the non-hydrolyzable TXA2 analog U-46619 on the function of the aorta of male rats. Methods: The levels of TXA2 and total antioxidant status in 50 healthy subjects, 54 PCa patients, and 57 PCa under ADT were evaluated. These determinations were accompanied by levels of testosterone and C-reactive protein as an inflammation marker. In aortic segments from male rats, the U46619-induced effects on: (i) the vasomotor responses to acetylcholine (ACh), to the NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP), to the carbon monoxide-releasing molecule-3 (CORM-3), and to noradrenaline (NA) and (ii) the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), and phosphorylated ERK1/2 were analyzed. Results: The serum level of TXA2 in patients with PCa was increased with respect to healthy subjects, which was further increased by ADT. There was no modification in the total antioxidant status among the three experimental groups. In aortic segments from male rats, the TXA2 analog decreased the endothelium-dependent relaxation and the sensitivity of smooth muscle cells to NO, while it increased the vasoconstriction induced by NA; the expression of COX-2, HO-1, and pERK1/2 was also increased. Conclusions: ADT increased, along with other inflammatory/oxidative markers, the serum levels of TXA2. The fact that TXA2 negatively impacts the vascular function of the aorta of healthy male rats suggests that inhibition of TXA2-mediated events could be considered a potential strategy to protect the cardiovascular system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Álvarez-Maestro
- Servicio de Urología, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain.,Grupo de Investigación en Urología, IdiPAZ, Madrid, Spain
| | - Aritz Eguibar
- Servicio de Urología, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain
| | - Patricia Chanca
- Servicio de Análisis Clínicos, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Juan Gómez Rivas
- Departamento de Urología, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Antonio Buño-Soto
- Servicio de Análisis Clínicos, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain.,Grupo de Investigación en Neonatología, IdiPAZ, Madrid, Spain
| | - Fermín R de Bethencourt
- Servicio de Urología, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain.,Grupo de Investigación en Urología, IdiPAZ, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mercedes Ferrer
- Grupo de Investigación en Urología, IdiPAZ, Madrid, Spain.,Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, UAM, Madrid, Spain
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Role of the endothelin system in sexual dimorphism in cardiovascular and renal diseases. Life Sci 2016; 159:20-29. [PMID: 26939577 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2016.02.093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2015] [Revised: 02/05/2016] [Accepted: 02/26/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Epidemiological studies of blood pressure in men and women and in experimental animal models point to substantial sex differences in the occurrence of arterial hypertension as well as in the various manifestations of arterial hypertension, including myocardial infarction, stroke, retinopathy, chronic kidney failure, as well as hypertension-associated diseases (e.g. diabetes mellitus). Increasing evidence demonstrates that the endothelin (ET) system is a major player in the genesis of sex differences in cardiovascular and renal physiology and diseases. Sex differences in the ET system have been described in the vasculature, heart and kidney of humans and experimental animals. In the current review, we briefly describe the role of the ET system in the cardiovascular and renal systems. We also update information on sex differences at different levels of the ET system including synthesis, circulating and tissue levels, receptors, signaling pathways, ET actions, and responses to antagonists in different organs that contribute to blood pressure regulation. Knowledge of the mechanisms underlying sex differences in arterial hypertension can impact therapeutic strategies. Sex-targeted and/or sex-tailored approaches may improve treatment of cardiovascular and renal diseases.
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Guvenc Tuna B, Lachkar N, de Vos J, Bakker EN, VanBavel E. Cerebral Artery Remodeling in Rodent Models of Subarachnoid Hemorrhage. J Vasc Res 2015; 52:103-15. [DOI: 10.1159/000431366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2014] [Accepted: 05/13/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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del Campo M, Sagredo A, del Campo L, Villalobo A, Ferrer M. Time-dependent effect of orchidectomy on vascular nitric oxide and thromboxane A2 release. Functional implications to control cell proliferation through activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor. PLoS One 2014; 9:e102523. [PMID: 25013941 PMCID: PMC4094513 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0102523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2014] [Accepted: 06/20/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
This study analyzes whether the release of nitric oxide (NO) and thromboxane A2 (TXA2) depends on the time lapsed since gonadal function is lost, and their correlation with the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) mediated by the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). For this purpose, aortic and mesenteric artery segments from control and 6-weeks or 5-months orchidectomized rats were used to measure NO and TXA2 release. The results showed that the basal and acetylcholine (ACh)-induced NO release were decreased 6 weeks post-orchidectomy both in aorta and mesenteric artery, but were recovered 5 months thereafter up to levels similar to those found in arteries from control rats. The basal and ACh-induced TXA2 release increased in aorta and mesenteric artery 6 weeks post-orchidectomy, and was maintained at high levels 5 months thereafter. Since we previously observed that orchidectomy, which decreased testosterone level, enlarged the muscular layer of mesenteric arteries, the effect of testosterone on VSMC proliferation was analyzed. The results showed that treatment of cultured VSMC with testosterone downregulated mitogenic signaling pathways initiated by the ligand-dependent activation of the EGFR. In contrast, the EGFR pathways were constitutively active in mesenteric arteries of long-term orchidectomized rats. Thus, the exposure of mesenteric arteries from control rats to epidermal growth factor (EGF) induced the activation of EGFR signaling pathways. However, the addition of EGF to arteries from orchidectomized rats failed to induce a further activation of these pathways. In conclusion, this study shows that the release of NO depends on the time lapsed since the gonadal function is lost, while the release of TXA2 is already increased after short periods post-orchidectomy. The alterations in these signaling molecules could contribute to the constitutive activation of the EGFR and its downstream signaling pathways after long period post-orchidectomy enhancing the proliferation of the vascular muscular layer.
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MESH Headings
- Acetylcholine/pharmacology
- Animals
- Aorta/drug effects
- Aorta/metabolism
- Cell Proliferation/drug effects
- Endothelium, Vascular/cytology
- Endothelium, Vascular/drug effects
- Endothelium, Vascular/metabolism
- Epidermal Growth Factor/pharmacology
- ErbB Receptors/agonists
- ErbB Receptors/genetics
- ErbB Receptors/metabolism
- Gene Expression Regulation
- Male
- Mesenteric Arteries/drug effects
- Mesenteric Arteries/metabolism
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/cytology
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/drug effects
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/metabolism
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/cytology
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/drug effects
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/metabolism
- Nitric Oxide/biosynthesis
- Nitric Oxide/metabolism
- Orchiectomy
- Rats
- Rats, Sprague-Dawley
- Signal Transduction
- Testosterone/pharmacology
- Thromboxane A2/biosynthesis
- Thromboxane A2/metabolism
- Time Factors
- Tissue Culture Techniques
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta del Campo
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas and Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Sagredo
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Lara del Campo
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias IdIPAZ, Hospital La Paz, Madrid, Spain
| | - Antonio Villalobo
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas and Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mercedes Ferrer
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias IdIPAZ, Hospital La Paz, Madrid, Spain
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Castorena-Gonzalez JA, Staiculescu MC, Foote CA, Polo-Parada L, Martinez-Lemus LA. The obligatory role of the actin cytoskeleton on inward remodeling induced by dithiothreitol activation of endogenous transglutaminase in isolated arterioles. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2013; 306:H485-95. [PMID: 24337457 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00557.2013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Inward remodeling is the most prevalent structural change found in the resistance arteries and arterioles of hypertensive individuals. Separate studies have shown that the inward remodeling process requires transglutaminase activation and the polymerization of actin. Therefore, we hypothesize that inward remodeling induced via endogenous transglutaminase activation requires and depends on actin cytoskeletal structures. To test this hypothesis, isolated and cannulated rat cremaster arterioles were exposed to dithiothreitol (DTT) to activate endogenous transglutaminases. DTT induced concentration-dependent vasoconstriction that was suppressed by coincubation with cystamine or cytochalasin-D to inhibit tranglutaminase activity or actin polymerization, respectively. Prolonged (4 h) exposure to DTT caused arteriolar inward remodeling that was also blocked by the presence of cystamine or cytochalasin-D. DTT inwardly remodeled arterioles had reduced passive diameters, augmented wall thickness-to-lumen ratios and altered elastic characteristics that were reverted upon disruption of the actin cytoskeleton with mycalolide-B. In freshly isolated arterioles, exposure to mycalolide-B caused no changes in their passive diameters or their elastic characteristics. These results suggest that, in arterioles, the early stages of the inward remodeling process induced by prolonged endogenous transglutaminase activation require actin dynamics and depend on changes in actin cytoskeletal structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge A Castorena-Gonzalez
- Dalton Cardiovascular Research Center, and Department of Medical Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, Missouri; and
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