Central and peripheral testosterone effects in men with heart failure: An approach for cardiovascular research

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Cardiology
• Physiology

Background:

• Heart failure (HF) remains a global health challenge with significant morbidity and mortality.
• Testosterone's role in HF is increasingly researched, with known central and peripheral effects.
• Understanding testosterone's mechanisms is crucial for improving HF treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and synthesize current knowledge on the effects of testosterone in heart failure (HF).
• To differentiate between central (cardiac) and peripheral (extracardiac) actions of testosterone.
• To highlight areas requiring further investigation regarding testosterone's cardiac effects in HF.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies investigating testosterone and heart failure.
• Categorization of testosterone effects into central (cardiac) and peripheral (extracardiac).
• Analysis of existing data on testosterone's impact on cardiomyocytes, electrophysiology, blood vessels, baroreceptors, skeletal muscles, and erythropoiesis.

Main Results:

• Peripheral effects of testosterone, including on blood vessels, skeletal muscles, and red blood cell production, may contribute to beneficial outcomes in HF.
• Central effects of testosterone involve direct influences on heart cells (cardiomyocytes) and heart rhythm (electrophysiology).
• While peripheral actions are better understood, central cardiac effects of testosterone in HF warrant deeper exploration.

Conclusions:

• Testosterone exerts both central and peripheral effects relevant to heart failure pathophysiology.
• Peripheral testosterone actions offer potential therapeutic insights for managing HF.
• Further research into the direct cardiac effects of testosterone is essential for a comprehensive understanding of its role in HF.