Lopes Rhéure A M, Neves Karla B, Carneiro Fernando S, Tostes Rita C
Department of Pharmacology, Medical School of Ribeirao Preto, Ribeirao Preto São Paulo, Brazil.
Front Physiol. 2012 Apr 10;3:89. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2012.00089. eCollection 2012.
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.
雄激素受体广泛分布于多种组织中，包括血管内皮细胞和平滑肌细胞。睾酮分别通过经典的胞质雄激素受体或膜受体诱导基因组效应和非基因组效应。睾酮通过增加促炎细胞因子的产生和动脉厚度来干扰血管功能。实验证据表明，诸如睾酮等性甾体激素可调节一氧化氮的合成和生物利用度，进而调节内皮功能，而内皮功能对于健康的血管系统至关重要。有趣的是，衰老本身伴随着内皮和血管平滑肌功能障碍。与衰老相关的睾酮水平下降伴随着诸如代谢和心血管疾病等与年龄相关的疾病，这表明极低水平的雄激素可能导致这些与年龄相关疾病中观察到的心血管功能障碍，或者换句话说，睾酮可能对心血管系统具有有益作用。然而，睾酮似乎在肾脏疾病的严重程度中起负面作用。在本综述中，我们简要评论衰老与睾酮水平之间的相互作用、睾酮的血管作用及其对血管衰老的影响。还讨论了睾酮对肾脏的影响以及使用睾酮预防老年人血管功能障碍的情况。
