title: Androgens and cardiovascular disease: gender-related differences.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Clinical and Basic Research, Department of Medical Sciences, IRCCS San Raffaele Pisana, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Ilaria
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Spoletini
authors.forename: Massimiliano
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Caprio
authors.forename: Cristiana
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vitale
authors.forename: Giuseppe M C
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Rosano
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000728:Androgens / Q000172:deficiency / Q000502:physiology*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000502:physiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D013739:Testosterone / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens; D013739:Testosterone
keywords: Androgens; post-menopausal women; sex; testosterone