Sex differences in arterial wave reflection and the role of exogenous and endogenous sex hormones

Sex differences in cardiovascular disease (CVD), including aortic stenosis, atherosclerosis and cardiovascular calcification, are well documented. High levels of testosterone, the primary male sex hormone, are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular calcification, whilst estrogen, the primary female sex hormone, is considered cardioprotective. Current understanding of sexual dimorphism in cardiovascular calcification is still very limited. This review assesses the evidence that the actions of sex hormones influence the development of cardiovascular calcification. We address the current question of whether sex hormones could play a role in the sexual dimorphism seen in cardiovascular calcification, by discussing potential mechanisms of actions of sex hormones and evidence in pre-clinical research. More advanced investigations and understanding of sex hormones in calcification could provide a better translational outcome for those suffering with cardiovascular calcification.

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Sex Differences and the Influence of Sex Hormones on Cognition through Adulthood and the Aging Process

Brain Sciences ◽

10.3390/brainsci8090163 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 8 (9) ◽

pp. 163 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Caroline Gurvich ◽

Kate Hoy ◽

Natalie Thomas ◽

Jayashri Kulkarni

Keyword(s):

Alzheimer’S Disease ◽

Alzheimer's Disease ◽

Sex Differences ◽

Cognitive Functioning ◽

Sex Hormones ◽

Reproductive Function ◽

Health And Disease ◽

And Function ◽

The Brain

Hormones of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis that regulate reproductive function have multiple effects on the development, maintenance and function of the brain. Sex differences in cognitive functioning have been reported in both health and disease, which may be partly attributed to sex hormones. The aim of the current paper was to provide a theoretical review of how sex hormones influence cognitive functioning across the lifespan as well as provide an overview of the literature on sex differences and the role of sex hormones in cognitive decline, specifically in relation to Alzheimer’s disease (AD). A summary of current hormone and sex-based interventions for enhancing cognitive functioning and/or reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s disease is also provided.

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Sex differences and the role of sex hormones in stress reactivity, emotion regulation and craving in drug and alcohol dependence

Alcohol ◽

10.1016/j.alcohol.2017.02.246 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 60 ◽

pp. 217-218 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

V. Milivojevic ◽

H.C. Fox ◽

R. Sinha

Keyword(s):

Sex Differences ◽

Emotion Regulation ◽

Alcohol Dependence ◽

Sex Hormones ◽

Stress Reactivity ◽

Drug And Alcohol

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Sex Differences in Otolaryngology: Focus on the Emerging Role of Estrogens in Inflammatory and Pro-Resolving Responses

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms22168768 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (16) ◽

pp. 8768

Author(s):

Sheng-Dean Luo ◽

Tai-Jan Chiu ◽

Wei-Chih Chen ◽

Ching-Shuen Wang

Keyword(s):

Sex Differences ◽

Sex Hormones ◽

Immune Cells ◽

Vocal Fold ◽

Hormone Receptors ◽

Inflammatory Responses ◽

Proinflammatory Responses ◽

Males And Females ◽

Nose And Throat

Otolaryngology (also known as ear, nose, and throat (ENT)) diseases can be significantly affected by the level of sex hormones, which indicates that sex differences affect the manifestation, pathophysiology, and outcomes of these diseases. Recently, increasing evidence has suggested that proinflammatory responses in ENT diseases are linked to the level of sex hormones. The sex hormone receptors are present on a wide variety of immune cells; therefore, it is evident that they play crucial roles in regulating the immune system and hence affect the disease progression of ENT diseases. In this review, we focus on how sex hormones, particularly estrogens, regulate ENT diseases, such as chronic rhinosinusitis, vocal fold polyps, thyroid cancer, Sjögren’s syndrome, and head and neck cancers, from the perspectives of inflammatory responses and specialized proresolving mediator-driven resolution. This paper aims to clarify why considering sex differences in the field of basic and medical research on otolaryngology is a key component to successful therapy for both males and females in the future.

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Early sex differences in central arterial wave reflection are mediated by different timing of forward and reflected pressure waves

Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology ◽

10.1111/1440-1681.12866 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 45 (2) ◽

pp. 166-173 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Divanei Zaniqueli ◽

Marcelo Perim Baldo ◽

Carmem Luiza Sartório ◽

Roberto de Sá cunha ◽

Rafael de Oliveira Alvim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sex Differences ◽

Wave Reflection ◽

Pressure Waves ◽

Arterial Wave Reflection

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Role of sex hormones in modulating myocardial perfusion and coronary flow reserve

European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging ◽

10.1007/s00259-022-05675-2 ◽

2022 ◽

Author(s):

Ahmed Haider ◽

Susan Bengs ◽

Angela Portmann ◽

Alexia Rossi ◽

Hazem Ahmed ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sex Differences ◽

Myocardial Perfusion ◽

Sex Hormones ◽

Coronary Flow Reserve ◽

Coronary Flow ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Left Ventricular Ejection ◽

Testosterone Levels ◽

Flow Reserve

Abstract Background A growing body of evidence highlights sex differences in the diagnostic accuracy of cardiovascular imaging modalities. Nonetheless, the role of sex hormones in modulating myocardial perfusion and coronary flow reserve (CFR) is currently unclear. The aim of our study was to assess the impact of female and male sex hormones on myocardial perfusion and CFR. Methods Rest and stress myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) was conducted by small animal positron emission tomography (PET) with [18F]flurpiridaz in a total of 56 mice (7–8 months old) including gonadectomized (Gx) and sham-operated males and females, respectively. Myocardial [18F]flurpiridaz uptake (% injected dose per mL, % ID/mL) was used as a surrogate for myocardial perfusion at rest and following intravenous regadenoson injection, as previously reported. Apparent coronary flow reserve (CFRApp) was calculated as the ratio of stress and rest myocardial perfusion. Left ventricular (LV) morphology and function were assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging. Results Orchiectomy resulted in a significant decrease of resting myocardial perfusion (Gx vs. sham, 19.4 ± 1.0 vs. 22.2 ± 0.7 % ID/mL, p = 0.034), while myocardial perfusion at stress remained unchanged (Gx vs. sham, 27.5 ± 1.2 vs. 27.3 ± 1.2 % ID/mL, p = 0.896). Accordingly, CFRApp was substantially higher in orchiectomized males (Gx vs. sham, 1.43 ± 0.04 vs. 1.23 ± 0.05, p = 0.004), and low serum testosterone levels were linked to a blunted resting myocardial perfusion (r = 0.438, p = 0.020) as well as an enhanced CFRApp (r = −0.500, p = 0.007). In contrast, oophorectomy did not affect myocardial perfusion in females. Of note, orchiectomized males showed a reduced LV mass, stroke volume, and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) on CMR, while no such effects were observed in oophorectomized females. Conclusion Our experimental data in mice indicate that sex differences in myocardial perfusion are primarily driven by testosterone. Given the diagnostic importance of PET-MPI in clinical routine, further studies are warranted to determine whether testosterone levels affect the interpretation of myocardial perfusion findings in patients.

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