Androgens and Vascular Function

It is widely recognized that vascular function is modulated by the endocrine system. So it is known that hormones as aldosterone, renin-angiotensin II system, thyroids hormones, oxitocine, ghrelin, vasopressine, etc exert action on the vascular tone (Axelband et al., 2011; Nguyen & Touyz, 2011; Szmydynger-Chodobska et al., 2011; Tesauro et al., 2010;). Regarding sex hormones, epidemiological studies have demonstrated that there is a gender difference in the morbidity associated with hypertension and that there is an increased prevalence of cardiovascular diseases in postmenopausal women (Leung et al., 2007; Teede, 2007). Simultaneously, androgens had been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, but recent studies have explored protective effects of androgens in males (Jones, 2010; Traish and Kypreos, 2011). For example, it has been demonstrated that men with coronary artery disease have decreased levels of testosterone, which were conversely correlated to the degree of coronary artery narrowing (Saad et al., 2008). Likewise, lower testosterone, predicted incident stroke and transient ischemic attack in older men (BragaBasaria, 2006). In general terms, it seems to be demonstrated that men with cardiovascular disease had lower levels of testosterone, and what is more important, new emerging evidence points to androgen deficiency more likely to be associated with cardiovascular diseases than gender per se (Traish & Kypreos, 2011). Testosterone deficiency alters carbohydrate, lipid and protein metabolism, this contributing to oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction and increased production of pro-inflammatory factors, promoting alterations on vascular function. Among the alterations induced by testosterone deficiency are the loss of muscle mass and strength, increasing visceral fat mass, reduced libido, erectile dysfunction, increased osteoporosis, lethargy, lack of energy, and changes in mood. In addition, testosterone deficiency has been associated with increased risk of metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, obesity, insulin resistance and atherosclerosis (Jones & Saad, 2009; Kapoor et al., 2005). Most of results obtained about that effects have been obtained from patients with prostate cancer subjected to androgen deprivation therapy. This therapy improves cancer related symptoms and quality of life (Bain, 2010), but shows side effects as sexual dysfunction, decreased lean body mass, decreased quality of life, osteoporosis, and detrimental changes in metabolic status (Basaria & Dobs, 2001; Chodak et al., 2002; Smith et al., 2002). Increased insulin levels and insulin resistance and increased prevalence of fasting hyperglycemia and hypertriglyceridemia have also been observed in men with prostate cancer treated with