Journal article
Sex differences in endothelial function important to vascular health and overall cardiovascular disease risk across the lifespan
American journal of physiology. Heart and circulatory physiology, Vol.315(6), pp.H1569-H1588
12/01/2018
DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00396.2018
PMCID: PMC6734083
PMID: 30216121
Abstract
Diseases of the cardiovascular system are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in men and women in developed countries, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) is becoming more prevalent in developing countries. The prevalence of atherosclerotic CVD in men is greater than in women until menopause, when the prevalence of CVD increases in women until it exceeds that of men. Endothelial function is a barometer of vascular health and a predictor of atherosclerosis that may provide insights into sex differences in CVD as well as how and why the CVD risk drastically changes with menopause. Studies of sex differences in endothelial function are conflicting, with some studies showing earlier decrements in endothelial function in men compared with women, whereas others show similar age-related declines between the sexes. Because the increase in CVD risk coincides with menopause, it is generally thought that female hormones, estrogens in particular, are cardioprotective. Moreover, it is often proposed that androgens are detrimental. In truth, the relationships are more complex. This review first addresses female and male sex hormones and their receptors and how these interact with the cardiovascular system, particularly the endothelium, in healthy young women and men. Second, we address sex differences in sex steroid receptor-independent mechanisms controlling endothelial function, focusing on vascular endothelin and the renin-angiotensin systems, in healthy young women and men. Finally, we discuss sex differences in age-associated endothelial dysfunction, focusing on the role of attenuated circulating sex hormones in these effects.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Sex differences in endothelial function important to vascular health and overall cardiovascular disease risk across the lifespan
- Creators
- Anna E Stanhewicz - Pennsylvania State UniversityMegan M Wenner - University of DelawareNina S Stachenfeld - John B. Pierce Laboratory
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- American journal of physiology. Heart and circulatory physiology, Vol.315(6), pp.H1569-H1588
- DOI
- 10.1152/ajpheart.00396.2018
- PMID
- 30216121
- PMCID
- PMC6734083
- ISSN
- 0363-6135
- eISSN
- 1522-1539
- Grant note
- P20 GM113125 / NIGMS NIH HHS K99 HL138133 / NHLBI NIH HHS
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 12/01/2018
- Academic Unit
- Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center; Health and Human Physiology; Internal Medicine
- Record Identifier
- 9984259391602771
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