Effects of testosterone on cytokines and left ventricular remodeling following heart failure.

Abstract

AIMS:

To investigate the effects of testosterone treatment on cytokines, ventricular remodeling in rats with heart failure.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Sprague-Dawley male rats with heart failure were divided into testosterone (n = 22) and placebo (n = 22) group. Pseudo surgery was performed on a third group of 15 male rats as control.

RESULTS:

Compared with the placebo group, the testosterone group had a greater LVEF (P <0.05), a higher serum IL-10 level (P <0.05) and a lower serum TNF-alpha level (P<0.05). The expression of TNF-alpha mRNA, MMP-9 mRNA and the myocardial hydroxyproline contents in the testosterone group were also lower than in the placebo group (P<0.05). The mortality rate in the testosterone and placebo group was 31.8% and 68.2%, respectively (P <0.05).

CONCLUSION:

Serum testosterone levels were decreased significantly in male rats with heart failure. Testosterone treatment diminishes the imbalance between interleukin-10 and TNF-alpha, suppresses ventricular remodeling and improves cardiac function.

• Authors: Yan-Zhou Zhang, Xiao-Wen Xing, Ben He, Le-Xin Wang
• Journal: Cellular physiology and biochemistry : international journal of experimental cellular physiology, biochemistry, and pharmacology (Cell Physiol Biochem) Vol. 20 Issue 6 Pg. 847-52 ( 2007) ISSN: 1015-8987 [Print] Germany
• PMID: 17982266 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Cytokines
• Testosterone
• Matrix Metalloproteinase 9

Topics

• Animals
• Body Weight (drug effects)
• Cytokines (blood, genetics, metabolism)
• Gene Expression Regulation (drug effects)
• Heart Failure (enzymology, physiopathology)
• Male
• Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 (genetics, metabolism)
• Myocardium (metabolism)
• Rats
• Rats, Sprague-Dawley
• Testosterone (blood, pharmacology)
• Ventricular Function, Left (drug effects)
• Ventricular Remodeling (drug effects)