Androgens and atrial fibrillation: friends or foes?
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia encountered in clinical practice. The prevalence of AF increases with age, and this age-specific prevalence is higher in men than in women. However, the mechanisms of aging-induced AF have not been fully elucidated, and this may be related to decline of testosterone with advancing age. On the other hand, anabolic steroid abuse may precipitate the occurrence of AF. Until now, the possible relationship between androgens and AF was not comprehensively reviewed. We intend to review some recent evidence on this issue and propose some potential mechanisms.
Liu
Tong
T
Heart Rhythm Center, the Heart Institute, Cedars-Sinai Health System, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA; Department of Cardiology, Tianjin Institute of Cardiology, Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300211, People's Republic of China.
Shehata
Michael
M
Heart Rhythm Center, the Heart Institute, Cedars-Sinai Health System, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA.
Li
Guangping
G
Department of Cardiology, Tianjin Institute of Cardiology, Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300211, People's Republic of China.
Wang
Xunzhang
X
Heart Rhythm Center, the Heart Institute, Cedars-Sinai Health System, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA. Electronic address: Xunzhang.Wang@cshs.org.
D000367:Age Factors; D045930:Anabolic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood; D000728:Androgens / Q000097:blood* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000097:blood* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use
D045930:Anabolic Agents; D000728:Androgens; D013739:Testosterone