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Published on: August 13, 2019
The effects of endogenous and exogenous androgens on cardiovascular disease risk factors and progression
Panagiota Manolakou1, Roxani Angelopoulou, Chris Bakoyiannis
1Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece. panmanol@med.uoa.gr
Insights
Androgens, particularly in men, appear to protect against cardiovascular disease and atherosclerosis, contrary to earlier beliefs. This review examines varying androgen effects based on levels and administration methods.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Cardiology
- Sex Differences in Medicine
Background:
- Cardiovascular disease (CVD) incidence varies significantly between sexes.
- Estrogen's role is insufficient to explain these sex-based differences.
- Androgens are increasingly recognized for their influence on cardiovascular health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current data on the role of androgens in cardiovascular disease.
- To differentiate the effects of endogenous androgens versus exogenous testosterone administration.
- To analyze sex-specific and dose-dependent androgen effects on CVD.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of existing literature and published data.
- Analysis of both retrospective and prospective study models.
- Examination of clinical studies investigating androgen effects on cardiovascular risk factors.
Main Results:
- Androgens demonstrate a cardioprotective effect, particularly in men.
- An inverse correlation exists between androgen levels and atherosclerosis progression.
- Clinical studies show differential effects of androgens on cardiovascular risk factors between sexes.
Conclusions:
- Androgens play a significant, often protective, role in cardiovascular health.
- Distinguishing between endogenous and exogenous androgens, and their respective doses, is crucial for understanding their cardiovascular impact.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate the complex relationship between androgens and cardiovascular disease in both sexes.
Abstract:
Cardiovascular disease incidence rates have long been known to significantly differ between the two sexes. Estrogens alone fail to explain this phenomenon, bringing an increasing amount of attention to the role of androgens. Contrary to what was initially hypothesized, androgens seem to have an overall cardioprotective effect, especially in men. Recent studies and published data continue to support this notion displaying a consistent inverse correlation with atherosclerosis progression and cardiovascular disease both in regressive and prospective study models. Clinical studies have also revealed what seems to be a differential androgenic effect on various cardiovascular risk factors between men and women. Further insight indicates that in order to avoid confusion it may be also preferable to separately examine the effects of endogenous androgen levels from exogenous testosterone administration, as well as discern the differential results of low to normal and supraphysiological administration doses. This review summarizes old and recent data according to the above distinctions, in an attempt to further our understanding of the role of androgens in cardiovascular disease.
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