TY - JOUR
T1 - Androgens and cardiovascular disease
T2 - Gender-related differences
AU - Spoletini, Ilaria
AU - Caprio, Massimiliano
AU - Vitale, Cristiana
AU - Rosano, Giuseppe M C
PY - 2013
Y1 - 2013
N2 - Androgens are known to play a pivotal role in cardiovascular function. However, a definitive explanation as to how their impact differs between genders is yet to be provided. In this review, the existing studies on the link between androgens and cardiovascular disease have been analysed, with a particular focus on the gender-specific differences. Several studies agree that both direct and indirect effects of testosterone on cardiovascular function show a gender-related dimorphism. Consistently, men and women display different responses to androgen supplementation treatment. Post-menopausal women may particularly benefit from testosterone supplementation therapy. Future studies should further clarify the optimal dose and route of administration of testosterone, and more women should be included in clinical trials, in order to identify novel gender-specific targets, and finally to develop therapeutic strategies.
AB - Androgens are known to play a pivotal role in cardiovascular function. However, a definitive explanation as to how their impact differs between genders is yet to be provided. In this review, the existing studies on the link between androgens and cardiovascular disease have been analysed, with a particular focus on the gender-specific differences. Several studies agree that both direct and indirect effects of testosterone on cardiovascular function show a gender-related dimorphism. Consistently, men and women display different responses to androgen supplementation treatment. Post-menopausal women may particularly benefit from testosterone supplementation therapy. Future studies should further clarify the optimal dose and route of administration of testosterone, and more women should be included in clinical trials, in order to identify novel gender-specific targets, and finally to develop therapeutic strategies.
KW - Androgens
KW - Post-menopausal women
KW - Sex
KW - Testosterone
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U2 - 10.1177/1754045313487720
DO - 10.1177/1754045313487720
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84890191371
VL - 19
SP - 82
EP - 86
JO - Menopause international
JF - Menopause international
SN - 1754-0453
IS - 2
ER -