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Gender differences in the regulation of blood pressure

J F Reckelhoff1

  • 1Department of Physiology and Biophysics and the Center for Excellence in Cardiovascular-Renal Research, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson 39216-4505, USA. jreckelhoff@physiology.umsmed.edu

Hypertension (Dallas, Tex. : 1979)
|May 23, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Androgens may increase blood pressure in women after menopause, potentially by affecting the renin-angiotensin system (RAS). This review explores how androgens might contribute to hypertension, impacting cardiovascular and renal health.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Cardiovascular Physiology
  • Nephrology

Background:

  • Men exhibit higher cardiovascular and renal disease risk than premenopausal women.
  • 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring reveals higher blood pressure in men.
  • Postmenopausal women experience elevated blood pressure, exceeding levels seen in men.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review potential mechanisms by which androgens increase blood pressure.
  • To explore the role of androgens in postmenopausal hypertension.
  • To investigate the link between androgens, the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), and blood pressure regulation.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing animal studies on androgen effects on blood pressure.
  • Analysis of the pressure-natriuresis relationship in male and testosterone-treated female spontaneously hypertensive rats.
  • Exploration of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) as a mediator of androgen-induced hypertension.

Main Results:

  • Animal studies show blunted pressure-natriuresis in male and testosterone-treated female spontaneously hypertensive rats.
  • The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is identified as a key factor in pressure-natriuresis regulation.
  • Androgens may increase blood pressure by influencing the RAS, potentially promoting oxidative stress and reducing nitric oxide availability.

Conclusions:

  • Androgens may play a significant role in the elevated blood pressure observed in postmenopausal women.
  • The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is a likely pathway through which androgens exert their hypertensive effects.
  • Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise mechanisms and therapeutic implications.

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