Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 23, 2026

Establishment of Rat Models Mimicking Gender-affirming Hormone Therapies
06:24

Establishment of Rat Models Mimicking Gender-affirming Hormone Therapies

Published on: January 10, 2025

[The heart and androgens]

L Smeets1, J-J Legros

  • 1Service universitaire d'Endocrinologie, CHU Sart-Tilman, 4000 Liège 1, Belgique.

Annales D'Endocrinologie
|July 13, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Male steroids, particularly testosterone, are crucial for cardiovascular health, influencing heart function, inflammation, and vascular resistance. Low testosterone levels are linked to heart disease risk factors, highlighting its clinical importance.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology and Cardiovascular Physiology

Context:

  • Male steroids, beyond sexual function, significantly impact cardiovascular homeostasis.
  • Testosterone, via androgen receptors, regulates cardiomyocyte trophicity in health and cardiac disease.
  • Androgens modulate inflammatory cytokines (e.g., IL-6, TNF) in heart failure and mediate vascular resistance.

Purpose:

  • To explore the multifaceted roles of androgens in cardiovascular physiology and pathology.
  • To investigate the link between reduced testosterone levels and pro-atherogenic lipid profiles.
  • To underscore the clinical relevance for coronary artery disease (CAD) and heart failure (HF) management.

Summary:

  • Testosterone influences cardiomyocyte size and function, impacting both normal physiology and cardiac hypertrophy.
  • Reduced free testosterone is associated with adverse lipid profiles (low HDL, high triglycerides), a risk factor for atherosclerosis.
  • Androgens play a role in regulating vascular tone and inflammatory responses within the cardiovascular system.

Impact:

  • Findings suggest androgens are key players in cardiovascular health and disease, necessitating further research.
  • Highlights the clinical implications of assessing testosterone levels in patients with cardiovascular conditions.
  • Calls for large-scale studies to evaluate the therapeutic potential of androgens in coronary heart disease and heart failure.

More Related Videos

An In Vivo Estrogen Deficiency Mouse Model for Screening Exogenous Estrogen Treatments of Cardiovascular Dysfunction After Menopause06:18

An In Vivo Estrogen Deficiency Mouse Model for Screening Exogenous Estrogen Treatments of Cardiovascular Dysfunction After Menopause

Published on: August 13, 2019

Related Concept Videos

Hormones of the Adrenal Glands01:31

Hormones of the Adrenal Glands

Adrenal hormones play a pivotal role in maintaining the body's electrolyte balance and orchestrating responses to stress, showcasing the intricate functions of the adrenal cortex and medulla.
The adrenal cortex, a powerhouse of hormone synthesis, generates over two dozen corticosteroid hormones. The zona glomerulosa produces mineralocorticoids, exemplified by aldosterone, influencing the electrolyte composition of body fluids. The synthesis of glucocorticoids such as cortisol and corticosterone...
Gonadal and Placental Hormones01:24

Gonadal and Placental Hormones

The gonads, namely the testes in males and the ovaries in females, are pivotal in producing gonadal hormones that orchestrate the intricate processes of sexual development and reproduction.
In males, testosterone is the primary gonadal androgen. It plays a central role in the maturation of male reproductive organs — the penis and testes. Additionally, testosterone is instrumental in the development of secondary sexual characteristics — a deep voice as well as facial and pubic hair growth — and...
Hormonal Regulation01:33

Hormonal Regulation

The renin-aldosterone system is an endocrine system which guides the renal absorption of water and electrolytes, thus managing blood pressure and osmoregulation. Activation of the system begins in the kidneys with a small cluster of cells adjacent to the afferent and efferent blood vessels of the renal corpuscle. As the nephrons are filtering blood, juxtaglomerular cells monitor blood pressure. If they detect a decrease in pressure, they release the hormone renin into the bloodstream.
Hormonal Regulation01:40

Hormonal Regulation

Hormones regulate a significant portion of digestion through activation of the neuroendocrine system. The neuroendocrine system of digestion contains many different hormones all with multiple functions that are both, directly and indirectly, involved in digestion.
Factors Influencing Heart Rate01:30

Factors Influencing Heart Rate

The heart rate, or pulse rate, is a vital indicator of cardiovascular health. It reflects the number of times the heart beats per minute. Various physiological and environmental factors influence heart rate, increasing or decreasing cardiac output. Understanding these factors is crucial for assessing heart function and identifying potential health issues.
Let us explore the significant factors affecting heart rate, including age, body temperature, posture, acute pain, chemical influences,...
Anatomy of the Heart01:27

Anatomy of the Heart

The human heart is made up of three layers of tissue that are surrounded by the pericardium, a membrane that protects and confines the heart. The outermost layer, closest to the pericardium, is the epicardium. The pericardial cavity separates the pericardium from the epicardium. Beneath the epicardium is the myocardium, the middle layer, and the endocardium, the innermost layer. There are four chambers of the heart: the right atrium, the right ventricle, the left atrium, and the left ventricle.