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Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2007; 115(1): 1-6
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-949657
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© J. A. Barth Verlag in Georg Thieme Verlag KG · Stuttgart · New York

Vasodilating Mechanisms of Testosterone

O. Yildiz 1 , M. Seyrek 1
  • 1Department of Pharmacology, Gulhane School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
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Publication History

Received 7.6.2006 First decision 7.7.2006

Accepted 26.7.2006

Publication Date:
07 February 2007 (online)

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Abstract

The increased incidence of cardiovascular disease in man compared with premenopausal women suggests an unfavourable effect of male sex hormone testosterone on the cardiovascular system. However, numerous clinical and epidemiological studies reported a controversial relationship between testosterone and cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, an increasing amount of evidence indicate that testosterone can exert acute vasorelaxing effects, via non-genomic mechanisms. These effects involve primarily the vascular smooth muscle, without requiring the presence of endothelium, although an endothelial contribution is apparent in some studies. To date, the mechanism behind the vasodilatory action of testosterone is still under debate and might be through either activation of K+ channels or blockade of Ca2+ channels in vascular muscle cells. The purpose of this article is to review the evidence regarding the vasodilating effect of testosterone as well as its mechanism of action.

Key words

testosterone - vasodilation - vascular smooth muscle - nongenomic effects

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Correspondence

O. Yildiz

Department of Pharmacology

Gulhane School of Medicine

06018 Ankara

Turkey

Phone: +90/312/30 44 76 6

Fax: +90/312/30 42 15 0

Email: oyildiz@gata.edu.tr