The Woman's Heart: Insights into New Potential Targeted Therapy

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Daniele Gianfrilli1, Ricardo Pofi1, Tiziana Feola1

  • 1Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome. Italy.

Current Medicinal Chemistry
|November 19, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Cardiovascular disease affects women significantly. Research suggests phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5is) may offer heart protection, potentially linked to estrogen levels, warranting further investigation in women's heart health.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Endocrinology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of mortality in women, with specific treatment strategies lacking consensus.
  • Phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors have demonstrated cardioprotective and anti-remodeling effects in various studies.
  • The interplay between estrogens, the heart, and PDE5 inhibitors (PDE5is) in female cardiovascular health remains incompletely understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the potential gender-specific efficacy of long-term PDE5 inhibition in managing cardiovascular conditions, particularly in women.
  • To investigate the hypothesis that the effectiveness of PDE5is in female heart disease is estrogen-dependent.
  • To evaluate PDE5is as a potential gender-oriented therapeutic strategy for cardiac dysfunction, remodeling, and risk factors.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing animal and human studies on chronic PDE5 inhibition.
  • Analysis of experimental data regarding PDE5is effects on cardiac geometry, function, endothelial function, and microvascular coronary flow in women.
  • Reference to the ongoing RECOGITO study (NCT01803828), a randomized, placebo-controlled trial investigating gender-specific efficacy of PDE5 inhibition in diabetic cardiomyopathy.

Main Results:

  • Experimental data suggest potential benefits of PDE5is on cardiac parameters in women.
  • A recent postulation suggests that PDE5is efficacy in female heart disease may be influenced by estrogen levels.
  • The RECOGITO study is actively recruiting to further elucidate gender-specific effects.

Conclusions:

  • Estrogen receptor modulation in conjunction with PDE5is presents a promising avenue for cardiac protection.
  • PDE5 inhibitors hold potential as a gender-oriented strategy for managing cardiovascular dysfunction, remodeling, and risk factors in selected women.
  • Further research, including clinical trials like RECOGITO, is crucial to confirm the role of PDE5is in women's cardiovascular health.

Keywords:
GenderNOPDE5iscGMPcardiovascular diseaseendothelial functionestrogenheart

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