Differences in angiotensin (1–7) between men and women
In experimental animal models of hypertension, angiotensin (1–7) [ANG-(1–7)] is higher in females compared with males; however, it is less clear whether the same applies to humans. Therefore, this study sought to compare circulating concentrations of ANG-(1–7) in apparently healthy men and women under normal physiological conditions. With the use of a cross-sectional experimental design, blood was collected in EDTA anticoagulant from 42 volunteers (21 men and 21 women; and age range, 19–48 yr) for analysis of plasma concentrations of ANG-(1–7) and ANG II. Blood pressure was measured and vascular endothelial function was determined ( n = 25) using the brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) test. As a result, women exhibited a higher circulating concentration of ANG-(1–7) ( P = 0.04) compared with men, whereas values of ANG II were similar between groups. Baseline arterial diameter, peak diameter, and shear rate were significantly greater ( P < 0.02) in men compared with women. No significant differences in FMD, FMD normalized for shear, or time to peak dilation were observed between men and women. In addition, a positive correlation between ANG-(1–7) and FMD ( P = 0.04) and negative association between ANG-(1–7) with ANG II ( P = 0.01) were only identified in men, whereas a positive relationship between ANG-(1–7) and diastolic blood pressure ( P = 0.03) was observed in women. In conclusion:, women exhibit significantly higher plasma concentrations of ANG-(1–7) compared with men. In addition, this study describes a relationship between ANG-(1–7), vascular function, and diastolic blood pressure that appears to be sex dependent.