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Davis SR. Testosterone and the heart: friend or foe? Climacteric 2024; 27:53-59. [PMID: 37666273 DOI: 10.1080/13697137.2023.2250252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in women aged 65 years and older. Sex hormones have been implicated as having a critical role in the evolution of CVD, with the focus mainly on estrogens in women. Available data also indicate that low testosterone blood levels may be detrimental to cardiovascular function in women. At blood concentrations considered normal for premenopausal women, testosterone has favorable effects on blood vessel function (relaxation and contraction), much of which is determined by the endothelial cells that line the inside of blood vessels. Testosterone enhances endothelium-dependent and independent brachial artery vasodilation and has an acute systolic blood pressure-lowering effect in postmenopausal women. Advantageous effects of testosterone in animal models have been seen for myocardial function and cardiac electrical signaling. Human data are mainly limited to observational and mechanistic studies, which mostly demonstrate beneficial effects of testosterone on cardiovascular health. Few studies of testosterone use in women, with cardiovascular endpoints as primary outcomes, have been published.
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Affiliation(s)
- S R Davis
- Women's Health Research Program, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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2
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Smetanina MA, Korolenya VA, Kel AE, Sevostyanova KS, Gavrilov KA, Shevela AI, Filipenko ML. Epigenome-Wide Changes in the Cell Layers of the Vein Wall When Exposing the Venous Endothelium to Oscillatory Shear Stress. EPIGENOMES 2023; 7:epigenomes7010008. [PMID: 36975604 PMCID: PMC10048778 DOI: 10.3390/epigenomes7010008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Epigenomic changes in the venous cells exerted by oscillatory shear stress towards the endothelium may result in consolidation of gene expression alterations upon vein wall remodeling during varicose transformation. We aimed to reveal such epigenome-wide methylation changes. Primary culture cells were obtained from non-varicose vein segments left after surgery of 3 patients by growing the cells in selective media after magnetic immunosorting. Endothelial cells were either exposed to oscillatory shear stress or left at the static condition. Then, other cell types were treated with preconditioned media from the adjacent layer's cells. DNA isolated from the harvested cells was subjected to epigenome-wide study using Illumina microarrays followed by data analysis with GenomeStudio (Illumina), Excel (Microsoft), and Genome Enhancer (geneXplain) software packages. Differential (hypo-/hyper-) methylation was revealed for each cell layer's DNA. The most targetable master regulators controlling the activity of certain transcription factors regulating the genes near the differentially methylated sites appeared to be the following: (1) HGS, PDGFB, and AR for endothelial cells; (2) HGS, CDH2, SPRY2, SMAD2, ZFYVE9, and P2RY1 for smooth muscle cells; and (3) WWOX, F8, IGF2R, NFKB1, RELA, SOCS1, and FXN for fibroblasts. Some of the identified master regulators may serve as promising druggable targets for treating varicose veins in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariya A Smetanina
- Laboratory of Pharmacogenomics, Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine (ICBFM) SB RAS, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
- Department of Fundamental Medicine, V. Zelman Institute for Medicine and Psychology, Novosibirsk State University (NSU), Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - Valeria A Korolenya
- Laboratory of Pharmacogenomics, Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine (ICBFM) SB RAS, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
- Department of Natural Sciences, Novosibirsk State University (NSU), Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - Alexander E Kel
- Laboratory of Pharmacogenomics, Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine (ICBFM) SB RAS, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
- Department of Research & Development, GeneXplain GmbH, D-38302 Wolfenbüttel, Germany
| | - Ksenia S Sevostyanova
- Center of New Medical Technologies, Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine (ICBFM) SB RAS, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
- Laboratory of Invasive Medical Technologies, Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine (ICBFM) SB RAS, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
- Department of Surgical Diseases, V. Zelman Institute for Medicine and Psychology, Novosibirsk State University (NSU), Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - Konstantin A Gavrilov
- Center of New Medical Technologies, Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine (ICBFM) SB RAS, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
- Department of Surgical Diseases, V. Zelman Institute for Medicine and Psychology, Novosibirsk State University (NSU), Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - Andrey I Shevela
- Center of New Medical Technologies, Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine (ICBFM) SB RAS, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
- Laboratory of Invasive Medical Technologies, Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine (ICBFM) SB RAS, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
- Department of Surgical Diseases, V. Zelman Institute for Medicine and Psychology, Novosibirsk State University (NSU), Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - Maxim L Filipenko
- Laboratory of Pharmacogenomics, Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine (ICBFM) SB RAS, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
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Helman TJ, Headrick JP, Stapelberg NJC, Braidy N. The sex-dependent response to psychosocial stress and ischaemic heart disease. Front Cardiovasc Med 2023; 10:1072042. [PMID: 37153459 PMCID: PMC10160413 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2023.1072042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Stress is an important risk factor for modern chronic diseases, with distinct influences in males and females. The sex specificity of the mammalian stress response contributes to the sex-dependent development and impacts of coronary artery disease (CAD). Compared to men, women appear to have greater susceptibility to chronic forms of psychosocial stress, extending beyond an increased incidence of mood disorders to include a 2- to 4-fold higher risk of stress-dependent myocardial infarction in women, and up to 10-fold higher risk of Takotsubo syndrome-a stress-dependent coronary-myocardial disorder most prevalent in post-menopausal women. Sex differences arise at all levels of the stress response: from initial perception of stress to behavioural, cognitive, and affective responses and longer-term disease outcomes. These fundamental differences involve interactions between chromosomal and gonadal determinants, (mal)adaptive epigenetic modulation across the lifespan (particularly in early life), and the extrinsic influences of socio-cultural, economic, and environmental factors. Pre-clinical investigations of biological mechanisms support distinct early life programming and a heightened corticolimbic-noradrenaline-neuroinflammatory reactivity in females vs. males, among implicated determinants of the chronic stress response. Unravelling the intrinsic molecular, cellular and systems biological basis of these differences, and their interactions with external lifestyle/socio-cultural determinants, can guide preventative and therapeutic strategies to better target coronary heart disease in a tailored sex-specific manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tessa J. Helman
- Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, NSW, Sydney, Australia
- Correspondence: Tessa J. Helman
| | - John P. Headrick
- Schoolof Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, Griffith University, Southport, QLD, Australia
| | | | - Nady Braidy
- Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, NSW, Sydney, Australia
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Moreau KL, Babcock MC, Hildreth KL. Sex differences in vascular aging in response to testosterone. Biol Sex Differ 2020; 11:18. [PMID: 32295637 PMCID: PMC7161199 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-020-00294-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2019] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Large elastic arterial stiffening and endothelial dysfunction are phenotypic characteristics of vascular aging, a major risk factor for age-associated cardiovascular diseases. Compared to men, vascular aging in women appears to be slowed until menopause, whereafter vascular aging accelerates to match that seen in men. These sex differences in vascular aging have been attributed to changes in sex hormones that occur with aging. Although the role of estradiol in vascular aging in women has been highlighted in recent aging research, little is known about the impact of declining testosterone concentrations in both sexes. Importantly, while androgen concentrations generally decline with age in men, there are data that indicate reductions in androgen concentrations in women as well. Evidence suggests that low testosterone is associated with impaired endothelial function and increased arterial stiffness in men, although the effect of androgens on vascular aging in women remains unclear. Testosterone may modulate vascular aging by mitigating the effects of oxidative stress and inflammation, although there is sex specificity to this effect. The purpose of this review is to present and summarize the research regarding sex differences in vascular aging in response to androgens, specifically testosterone. Because exercise is a potent lifestyle factor for slowing and reversing vascular aging, we briefly summarize the available literature regarding the regulatory function of testosterone on vascular adaptations to exercise training.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerrie L Moreau
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Bldg. L15 Rm 8111, 12631 East 17th Ave., PO Box 6511, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA. .,Denver Veterans Administration Medical Center, Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Aurora, 80045, CO, USA.
| | - Matthew C Babcock
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Bldg. L15 Rm 8111, 12631 East 17th Ave., PO Box 6511, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Kerry L Hildreth
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Bldg. L15 Rm 8111, 12631 East 17th Ave., PO Box 6511, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
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Scavello I, Maseroli E, Di Stasi V, Vignozzi L. Sexual Health in Menopause. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2019; 55:E559. [PMID: 31480774 PMCID: PMC6780739 DOI: 10.3390/medicina55090559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Revised: 08/28/2019] [Accepted: 08/29/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Sexual function worsens with advancing menopause status. The most frequently reported symptoms include low sexual desire (40-55%), poor lubrication (25-30%) and dyspareunia (12-45%), one of the complications of genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM). Declining levels of sex steroids (estrogens and androgens) play a major role in the impairment of sexual response; however, psychological and relational changes related with aging and an increase in metabolic and cardiovascular comorbidities should also be taken into account. Although first-line therapeutic strategies for menopause-related sexual dysfunction aim at addressing modifiable factors, many hormonal and non-hormonal, local and systemic treatment options are currently available. Treatment should be individualized, taking into account the severity of symptoms, potential adverse effects and personal preferences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Scavello
- Andrology, Women's Endocrinology and Gender Incongruence Unit, Department of Experimental, Clinical, and Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Elisa Maseroli
- Andrology, Women's Endocrinology and Gender Incongruence Unit, Department of Experimental, Clinical, and Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Vincenza Di Stasi
- Andrology, Women's Endocrinology and Gender Incongruence Unit, Department of Experimental, Clinical, and Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Linda Vignozzi
- Andrology, Women's Endocrinology and Gender Incongruence Unit, Department of Experimental, Clinical, and Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy.
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Mathews L, Subramanya V, Zhao D, Ouyang P, Vaidya D, Guallar E, Yeboah J, Herrington D, Hays AG, Budoff MJ, Michos ED. Endogenous Sex Hormones and Endothelial Function in Postmenopausal Women and Men: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis. J Womens Health (Larchmt) 2019; 28:900-909. [PMID: 31170017 DOI: 10.1089/jwh.2018.7441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The relationship of endogenous sex hormones (SH) with vascular endothelial function and with cardiovascular disease (CVD) is incompletely understood. We examined the associations between SH and endothelial function measured by brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD). Materials and Methods: We included 1368 postmenopausal women and 1707 men, free of clinical CVD, participating in MESA Visit 1 (2000-2002). Serum SH [total testosterone, SH binding globulin (SHBG), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), estradiol] were measured; free testosterone was calculated. The percent FMD difference (%FMD) was measured by high-resolution ultrasound. Using multivariable-adjusted linear regression, we tested the cross-sectional associations of SH (log transformed, compared per one SD increment) with %FMD. Results: The mean age of women and men were 64.2 and 61.4 years, respectively. Among women, after adjusting for demographics, CVD risk factors, and hormone therapy, higher SHBG was associated with greater %FMD [β = 0.215% (95% CI 0.026-0.405)], whereas higher free testosterone was associated with a smaller %FMD [-0.209% (-0.402, -0.017)]. Estradiol and DHEA were not associated with %FMD in women after multivariable adjustment. There was an age interaction, with higher free testosterone and lower SHBG associated with worse FMD in women <65 years of age, but not in those ≥65 years (p = 0.04). We did not see similar associations in men. Conclusions: A more androgenic SH profile of higher free testosterone and lower SHBG was associated with worse %FMD in postmenopausal women. Changes in SH with aging and menopause may result in vascular changes in women. Further studies are needed to assess longitudinal changes in SH levels and their association with vascular function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lena Mathews
- 1Division of Cardiology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.,2Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Vinita Subramanya
- 1Division of Cardiology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Di Zhao
- 2Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Pamela Ouyang
- 1Division of Cardiology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Dhananjay Vaidya
- 2Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland.,3Division of General Internal Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Eliseo Guallar
- 2Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Joseph Yeboah
- 4Section on Cardiovascular Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
| | - David Herrington
- 4Section on Cardiovascular Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
| | - Allison G Hays
- 1Division of Cardiology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Matthew J Budoff
- 5David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Erin D Michos
- 1Division of Cardiology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.,2Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
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Lood Y, Aardal-Eriksson E, Webe C, Ahlner J, Ekman B, Wahlberg J. Relationship between testosterone in serum, saliva and urine during treatment with intramuscular testosterone undecanoate in gender dysphoria and male hypogonadism. Andrology 2017; 6:86-93. [DOI: 10.1111/andr.12435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2017] [Revised: 09/08/2017] [Accepted: 09/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Y. Lood
- National Board of Forensic Medicine; Department of Forensic Genetics and Forensic Toxicology; Linköping Sweden
- Department of Medical and Health Sciences; Linköping University; Linköping Sweden
| | - E. Aardal-Eriksson
- Division of Clinical Chemistry; Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine; Linköping University; Linköping Sweden
| | - C. Webe
- Department of Endocrinology; Department of Medical and Health Sciences; Linköping University; Linköping Sweden
| | - J. Ahlner
- National Board of Forensic Medicine; Department of Forensic Genetics and Forensic Toxicology; Linköping Sweden
- Department of Medical and Health Sciences; Linköping University; Linköping Sweden
| | - B. Ekman
- Department of Endocrinology; Department of Medical and Health Sciences; Linköping University; Linköping Sweden
| | - J. Wahlberg
- Department of Endocrinology; Department of Medical and Health Sciences; Linköping University; Linköping Sweden
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Abstract
The principle steroidal androgens are testosterone and its metabolite 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is converted from testosterone by the enzyme 5α-reductase. Through the classic pathway with androgens crossing the plasma membrane and binding to the androgen receptor (AR) or via mechanisms independent of the ligand-dependent transactivation function of nuclear receptors, testosterone induces genomic and non-genomic effects respectively. AR is widely distributed in several tissues, including vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cells. Androgens are essential for many developmental and physiological processes, especially in male reproductive tissues. It is now clear that androgens have multiple actions besides sex differentiation and sexual maturation and that many physiological systems are influenced by androgens, including regulation of cardiovascular function [nitric oxide (NO) release, Ca2+ mobilization, vascular apoptosis, hypertrophy, calcification, senescence and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation]. This review focuses on evidence indicating that interplay between genomic and non-genomic actions of testosterone may influence cardiovascular function.
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Armeni E, Lambrinoudaki I. Androgens and cardiovascular disease in women and men. Maturitas 2017; 104:54-72. [PMID: 28923177 DOI: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2017.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2017] [Accepted: 07/25/2017] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in both women and men. Its pathogenesis is multifactorial, with sex hormones playing an important role. Androgens have both direct and indirect effects on the vasculature. This review summarizes evidence on the association of both endogenous and exogenous androgens with subclinical and overt cardiovascular disease in women and men. Concerning women, both high and low levels of endogenous androgens have been associated with cardiovascular disease, while other studies have reported no association. Adiposity, impaired glucose metabolism, dyslipidemia and estrogen levels may mediate the observed associations. Regarding testosterone therapy in women, there have been no large prospective studies on cardiovascular outcomes. Concerning men, most studies indicate that low levels of circulating testosterone are associated with increased rates of cardiovascular disease in the general population; the causality, however, of this association remains to be proven. Testosterone replacement therapy in men with symptoms of hypogonadism and low serum testosterone merits caution with regard to cardiovascular safety, as evidence is still conflicting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleni Armeni
- 2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aretaieio Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Irene Lambrinoudaki
- 2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aretaieio Hospital, Athens, Greece.
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Mudrovcic N, Arefin S, Van Craenenbroeck AH, Kublickiene K. Endothelial maintenance in health and disease: Importance of sex differences. Pharmacol Res 2017; 119:48-60. [PMID: 28108363 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2017.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2016] [Revised: 01/09/2017] [Accepted: 01/10/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The vascular endothelium has emerged as more than just an inert monolayer of cells lining the vascular bed. It represents the interface between the blood stream and vessel wall, and has a strategic role in regulating vascular homeostasis by the release of vasoactive substances. Endothelial dysfunction contributes to the development and progression of cardiovascular disease. Recognition of sex-specific factors implicated in endothelial cell biology is important for the identification of clinically relevant preventive and/or therapeutic strategies. This review aims to give an overview of the recent advances in understanding the importance of sex specific observations in endothelial maintenance, both in healthy and diseased conditions. The female endothelium is highlighted in the context of polycystic ovary syndrome and pre-eclampsia. Furthermore, sex differences are explored in chronic kidney disease, which is currently appreciated as one of public health priorities. Overall, this review endorses integration of sex analysis in experimental and patient-oriented research in the exciting field of vascular biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neja Mudrovcic
- Department of Clinical Science, Intervention & Technology, Division of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Samsul Arefin
- Department of Clinical Science, Intervention & Technology, Division of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Amaryllis H Van Craenenbroeck
- Department of Nephrology, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium; Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium; Department of Clinical Science, Intervention & Technology, Division of Renal Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Karolina Kublickiene
- Department of Clinical Science, Intervention & Technology, Division of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Clinical Science, Intervention & Technology, Division of Renal Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Centre for Gender Medicine, Department of Medicine-Solna, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
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