Reversing Urethral Hypovascularity Through Testosterone and Estrogen Supplementation

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Urology
• Vascular Biology

Background:

• Hypogonadism leads to reduced testosterone and estrogen levels.
• Hypogonadism can cause urethral hypovascularity, impacting lower urinary tract symptoms.
• Hormone replacement therapy is a potential treatment for hypogonadism-related complications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficacy of testosterone and estrogen in reversing urethral hypovascularity in a rat model of hypogonadism.
• To analyze the expression of key receptors involved in hormone-mediated vascular regulation.

Main Methods:

• Castrated Sprague-Dawley rats were supplemented with testosterone or estrogen.
• Immunohistochemistry was used to measure urethral vessel density (CD31).
• Expression levels of androgen receptor (AR), TIE-2, ER-alpha, and GPER1 were quantified.

Main Results:

• Both testosterone and estrogen significantly increased urethral vascularity compared to controls.
• Testosterone restored AR expression and upregulated TIE-2.
• Estrogen upregulated GPER1 expression, while ER-alpha levels remained low.
• Increased vascularity correlated with AR and GPER1 expression.

Conclusions:

• Testosterone and estrogen effectively restore urethral vascularity in hypogonadal rats.
• The mechanism involves the upregulation of AR/TIE-2 and GPER1 pathways.
• Findings support the use of hormone replacement therapy for hypogonadal men to address urethral atrophy.