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Late gestational testosterone exposure causes glucose deregulation and elevated cardiac VCAM-1 and DPP-4 activity in
Taofeek O Usman1,2, Lawrence A Olatunji1
1HOPE Cardiometabolic Research Team and Department of Physiology, College of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria.
Context:
Increased vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) has been reported to be a critical link between obesity and atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases while dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) has been implicated in the development of disrupted glucose regulation and inflammation.
Objective:
This study aimed to investigate the effect of gestational testosterone exposure on glucose metabolism, atherogenic dyslipidemia, as well as circulating and cardiac VCAM-1, oxidative stress biomarkers and DPP-4 activity in pregnant rats.
Methods:
Pregnant Wistar rats received either vehicle or testosterone (0.5 mg/kg; sc) between gestational days 14 and 19.
Results:
Gestational testosterone exposure caused impaired glucose homeostasis that was accompanied with atherogenic dyslipidemia, elevated circulating and cardiac levels of VCAM-1, uric acid, malondialdehyde as well as increased DPP-4 activity. However, nitric oxide levels were decreased.
Conclusion:
This study shows that gestational testosterone exposure causes glucose deregulation and atherogenic dyslipidemia that is accompanied by increased circulating and cardiac VCAM-1 and DPP-4 activity.
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