Gender differences in β-adrenoceptor system in cardiac hypertrophy due to arteriovenous fistula

This study was undertaken to determine alterations in the β-adrenoceptor (β-AR) signaling system in male and female rats at 4 weeks after the induction of arteriovenous (AV) fistula or shunt. AV shunt produced a greater degree of cardiac hypertrophy and larger increase in cardiac output in male than in female animals. Increases in plasma levels of norepinephrine and epinephrine (EPI) due to AV shunt were also higher in male than females. While no difference in the β(1)-AR affinity was seen in males and females, AV shunt induced increase in β(1)-AR density in female rats was higher than that in males. Furthermore, no changes in basal adenylyl cyclase (AC) V/VI mRNA levels were seen; however, the increase in EPI-stimulated AC activities was greater in AV shunt females than in males. AV shunt decreased myocardial β(1)-AR mRNA level in male rats and increased β(2)-AR mRNA level in female hearts; an increase in G(i)-protein mRNA was detected only in male hearts. Although GRK2 gene expression was increased in both sexes, an increase in GRK3 mRNA was seen only in AV shunt female rats. β-arrestin1 mRNA was elevated in females whereas β-arrestin 2 gene expression was increased in both male and female AV shunt rats. While these data demonstrate gender associated differences in various components of the β-AR system in cardiac hypertrophy due to AV shunt, only higher levels of plasma catecholamines may account for the greater increase in cardiac output and higher degree of cardiac hypertrophy in males.