Abstract
Androgen receptors are widely distributed in several tissues, including vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cells. Through classic cytosolic androgen receptors or membrane receptors, testosterone induces genomic and non-genomic effects, respectively. Testosterone interferes with the vascular function by increasing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and arterial thickness. Experimental evidence indicates that sex steroid hormones, such as testosterone modulate the synthesis and bioavailability of NO and, consequently, endothelial function, which is key for a healthy vasculature. Of interest, aging itself is accompanied by endothelial and vascular smooth muscle dysfunction. Aging-associated decline of testosterone levels is accompanied by age-related diseases, such as metabolic and cardiovascular diseases, indicating that very low levels of androgens may contribute to cardiovascular dysfunction observed in these age-related disorders or, in other words, that testosterone may have beneficial effects in the cardiovascular system. However, testosterone seems to play a negative role in the severity of renal disease. In this mini-review, we briefly comment on the interplay between aging and testosterone levels, the vascular actions of testosterone and its implications for vascular aging. Renal effects of testosterone and the use of testosterone to prevent vascular dysfunction in elderly are also addressed.
Highlights
Sex hormones, including testosterone, have important extragonadal effects and experimental and clinical data point to important effects of sex hormones on the cardiovascular system (Reckelhoff, 2005)
Whereas high doses of testosterone have been associated with sudden cardiac death and liver disease (Bagatell and Bremner, 1996), low levels are associated with the progression of atherosclerosis, production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, increased arterial thickness, increased levels of glucose, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein, all important in cardiovascular disease (CVD) (Hak et al, 2002; Miller et al, 2004; Francomano et al, 2010)
Reduced testosterone levels in aging men are intimately associated with several aspects of vascular injury, the male sex1,2 is extensively mentioned as a risk factor for CVD, with males having an earlier and higher prevalence of many
Summary
Androgen receptors are widely distributed in several tissues, including vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cells. Of interest, aging itself is accompanied by endothelial and vascular smooth muscle dysfunction. Aging-associated decline of testosterone levels is accompanied by age-related diseases, such as metabolic and cardiovascular diseases, indicating that very low levels of androgens may contribute to cardiovascular dysfunction observed in these age-related disorders or, in other words, that testosterone may have beneficial effects in the cardiovascular system. Testosterone seems to play a negative role in the severity of renal disease. In this mini-review, we briefly comment on the interplay between aging and testosterone levels, the vascular actions of testosterone and its implications for vascular aging.
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