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Mohammed SAH, Mirdamadi M, Szucs KF, Gaspar R. Non-genomic actions of steroid hormones on the contractility of non-vascular smooth muscles. Biochem Pharmacol 2024; 222:116063. [PMID: 38373593 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2024.116063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
Steroid hormones play an important role in physiological processes. The classical pathway of steroid actions is mediated by nuclear receptors, which regulate genes to modify biological processes. Non-genomic pathways of steroid actions are also known, mediated by cell membrane-located seven transmembrane domain receptors. Sex steroids and glucocorticoids have several membrane receptors already identified to mediate their rapid actions. However, mineralocorticoids have no identified membrane receptors, although their rapid actions are also measurable. In non-vascular smooth muscles (bronchial, uterine, gastrointestinal, and urinary), the rapid actions of steroids are mediated through the modification of the intracellular Ca2+ level by various Ca-channels and the cAMP and IP3 system. The non-genomic action can be converted into a genomic one, suggesting that these distinct pathways may interconnect, resulting in convergence between them. Sex steroids mostly relax all the non-vascular smooth muscles, except androgens and progesterone, which contract colonic and urinary bladder smooth muscles, respectively. Corticosteroids also induce relaxation in bronchial and uterine tissues, but their actions on gastrointestinal and urinary bladder smooth muscles have not been investigated yet. Bile acids also contribute to the smooth muscle contractility. Although the therapeutic application of the rapid effects of steroid hormones and their analogues for smooth muscle contractility disorders seems remote, the actions and mechanism discovered so far are promising. Further research is needed to expand our knowledge in this field by using existing experience. One of the greatest challenges is to separate genomic and non-genomic effects, but model molecules are available to start this line of research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saif-Alnasr H Mohammed
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Albert-Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, Hungary
| | - Mohsen Mirdamadi
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Albert-Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, Hungary
| | - Kalman F Szucs
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Albert-Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, Hungary
| | - Robert Gaspar
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Albert-Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, Hungary.
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Reyes-García J, Díaz-Hernández V, Carbajal-García A, Casas-Hernández MF, Sommer B, Montaño LM. Theophylline-Induced Relaxation Is Enhanced after Testosterone Treatment via Increased K V1.2 and K V1.5 Protein Expression in Guinea Pig Tracheal Smooth Muscle. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065884. [PMID: 36982957 PMCID: PMC10059212 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Theophylline is a drug commonly used to treat asthma due to its anti-inflammatory and bronchodilatory properties. Testosterone (TES) has been suggested to reduce the severity of asthma symptoms. This condition affects boys more than girls in childhood, and this ratio reverses at puberty. We reported that guinea pig tracheal tissue chronic exposure to TES increases the expression of β2-adrenoreceptors and enhances salbutamol-induced K+ currents (IK+). Herein, we investigated whether the upregulation of K+ channels can enhance the relaxation response to methylxanthines, including theophylline. Chronic incubation of guinea pig tracheas with TES (40 nM, 48 h) enhanced the relaxation induced by caffeine, isobutylmethylxanthine, and theophylline, an effect that was abolished by tetraethylammonium. In tracheal myocytes, chronic incubation with TES increased theophylline-induced IK+; flutamide reversed this effect. The increase in IK+ was blocked by 4-aminopyridine by ~82%, whereas iberiotoxin reduced IK+ by ~17%. Immunofluorescence studies showed that chronic TES exposure increased the expression of KV1.2 and KV1.5 in airway smooth muscle (ASM). In conclusion, chronic exposure to TES in guinea pig ASM promotes upregulation of KV1.2 and KV1.5 and enhances theophylline relaxation response. Therefore, gender should be considered when prescribing methylxanthines, as teenage boys and males are likely to respond better than females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Reyes-García
- Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
| | - Verónica Díaz-Hernández
- Departamento de Embriología y Genética, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
| | - Abril Carbajal-García
- Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
| | - María F Casas-Hernández
- Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
| | - Bettina Sommer
- Laboratorio de Hiperreactividad Bronquial, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias "Ismael Cosío Villegas", Mexico City 14080, Mexico
| | - Luis M Montaño
- Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
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Piribauer M, Jiang L, Kostov T, Parr M, Steidel S, Bizjak DA, Steinacker JM, Diel P. Combinatory in vitro effects of the β2-agonists salbutamol and formoterol in skeletal muscle cells. Toxicol Lett 2023; 378:10-18. [PMID: 36822333 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2023.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
β2-agonists are used for the treatment of bronchoconstriction, but also abused in doping. Beside an ergogenic activity β2-agonists may have also anabolic activity. Therefore, we investigated the anabolic activity and associated molecular mechanisms of Salbutamol (SAL) and Formoterol (FOR) alone, as well as in combination in C2C12 myotubes. In differentiated C2C12 cells, dose-dependent effects of SAL and FOR (alone/in combination) on myotube diameter, myosin heavy chain (MHC) protein expression and the mRNA expression of genes involved in hypertrophy were analyzed. β2-adrenoceptor 2 (ADRB2), androgen receptor (AR) and estrogen receptor (ER) inhibitors, as well as dexamethasone (Dexa) were co-incubated with the β2-agonists and myotube diameter was determined. SAL and FOR treatment significantly induced hypertrophy and increased MHC expression and the mRNA expression of Igf1, mTOR, PIk3r1 and AMpKa2. In contrast to an ER inhibitor, the ADRB2 and AR inhibitors, as well as Dexa antagonized FOR and SAL induced hypertrophy. Combined treatment with SAL and FOR resulted in significant additive effects on myotube diameter and MHC expression. Future clinical studies are needed to prove this effect in humans and to evaluate this finding with respect to antidoping regulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Piribauer
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Sports Medicine, German Sports University Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - L Jiang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Sports Medicine, German Sports University Cologne, Cologne, Germany; Division of Sports and Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Medicine, University Hospital Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - T Kostov
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Sports Medicine, German Sports University Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - M Parr
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Biology, Chemistry, Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany
| | - S Steidel
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Sports Medicine, German Sports University Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - D A Bizjak
- Division of Sports and Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Medicine, University Hospital Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - J M Steinacker
- Division of Sports and Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Medicine, University Hospital Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - P Diel
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Sports Medicine, German Sports University Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
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Li N, Chen J, Xie S, Zhang M, Shi T, He Y, Jie Z, Su X. Oral antibiotics relieve allergic asthma in post-weaning mice via reducing iNKT cells and function of ADRB2. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1024235. [PMID: 36389706 PMCID: PMC9640740 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1024235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of normal gut microbiota in asthma or ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma tolerance (OT) remains unclear. Here, we established mouse models of asthma and OT followed by 2 weeks of antibiotic treatment, to clear the gut microbiota. Antibiotic treatment was found to alleviate allergic asthma accompanied with a reduction of invariant natural killer (iNKT) cells. By RNA-seq analysis, we found that β-adrenergic receptor (ADRB) genes, including Adrb1, Adrb2, and Adrb3, were downregulated in asthmatic lungs, but these changes were reversed in OT lungs. Moreover, Adrb2 and Adrb3 were significantly upregulated in asthmatic lungs after antibiotic treatment. Surprisingly, blocking ADRB with propranolol relieved allergic asthma while reducing T helper 2 (Th2) and Treg cell numbers. Further analyses using flow cytometry and immunofluorescence showed that the protein expression level of ADRB2 was higher in asthmatic lungs than that in the control and OT lungs. Notably, dendritic cells (DCs), especially the ADRB2+ DCs, were increased in asthmatic lungs compared to that in the control and OT lungs. In addition, ADRB2+ DCs were significantly reduced following the administration of the ADRB2-specific antagonist ICI118551. Our findings suggest that antibiotic treatment can alleviate OVA-induced allergic asthma via reducing the frequency of iNKT cells and function of ADRB2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Li
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Fifth People’s Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Medicine, Respiratory, Emergency and Intensive Care Medicine, The Affiliated Dushu Lake Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jie Chen
- Unit of Respiratory Infection and Immunity, Institute Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Sitao Xie
- Unit of Respiratory Infection and Immunity, Institute Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Meng Zhang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Fifth People’s Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Tianyun Shi
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Fifth People’s Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanchao He
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Fifth People’s Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhijun Jie
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Fifth People’s Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Xiao Su, ; Zhijun Jie,
| | - Xiao Su
- Unit of Respiratory Infection and Immunity, Institute Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Xiao Su, ; Zhijun Jie,
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Montaño LM, Sommer B, Solís-Chagoyán H, Romero-Martínez BS, Aquino-Gálvez A, Gomez-Verjan JC, Calixto E, González-Avila G, Flores-Soto E. Could Lower Testosterone in Older Men Explain Higher COVID-19 Morbidity and Mortalities? Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:935. [PMID: 35055119 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23020935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The health scourge imposed on humanity by the COVID-19 pandemic seems not to recede. This fact warrants refined and novel ideas analyzing different aspects of the illness. One such aspect is related to the observation that most COVID-19 casualties were older males, a tendency also noticed in the epidemics of SARS-CoV in 2003 and the Middle East respiratory syndrome in 2012. This gender-related difference in the COVID-19 death toll might be directly involved with testosterone (TEST) and its plasmatic concentration in men. TEST has been demonstrated to provide men with anti-inflammatory and immunological advantages. As the plasmatic concentration of this androgen decreases with age, the health benefit it confers also diminishes. Low plasmatic levels of TEST can be determinant in the infection’s outcome and might be related to a dysfunctional cell Ca2+ homeostasis. Not only does TEST modulate the activity of diverse proteins that regulate cellular calcium concentrations, but these proteins have also been proven to be necessary for the replication of many viruses. Therefore, we discuss herein how TEST regulates different Ca2+-handling proteins in healthy tissues and propose how low TEST concentrations might facilitate the replication of the SARS-CoV-2 virus through the lack of modulation of the mechanisms that regulate intracellular Ca2+ concentrations.
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Ganouna-Cohen G, Khadangi F, Marcouiller F, Bossé Y, Joseph V. Additive effects of orchiectomy and intermittent hypoxia on lung mechanics and inflammation in C57BL/6J male mice. Exp Physiol 2021; 107:68-81. [PMID: 34761830 DOI: 10.1113/ep090050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
NEW FINDINGS What is the central question of this study? Does endogenous testosterone modulate the consequences of intermittent hypoxia (IH) in the lungs of male mice? What is the main finding and its importance? Orchiectomized mice exposed to IH develop a pattern that is similar to emphysema or obstructive lung disease with elevated lung volumes, low pulmonary elastance during a methacholine challenge test and high counts of lymphocytes in bronchoalveolar lavages. Since low testosterone levels and other respiratory diseases are common in sleep apnoea, there is a clear clinical relevance to these results. ABSTRACT We tested the hypothesis that low testosterone levels modulate the pulmonary responses to intermittent hypoxia (IH; used as a model of sleep apnoea (SA)) in male mice. We used intact (SHAM) or orchiectomized (ORX) mice exposed to IH for 14 days (12 h/day, 10 cycles/h, 6% oxygen) or to normoxia (Nx). We first measured ventilation and metabolic rates in freely behaving mice (whole-body plethysmography) and then respiratory mechanics in tracheotomized mice (flexiVent). We assessed the respiratory system resistance and elastance (Ers ), Newtonian resistance (resistance of the large airways), tissue damping and tissue elastance (H) under baseline conditions and during a methacholine challenge test. We also measured the quasi-static compliance and inspiratory capacity with partial pressure-volume loops. Finally, inflammatory cells were counted in the broncho-alveolar lavage (BAL) and we measured lung volume by water displacement. ORX-IH mice had higher tidal volume, inspiratory capacity and lung volume compared to the other groups, but showed signs of low efficiency of O2 exchange rate relative to minute ventilation. During the methacholine challenge, orchiectomy decreased the values of most mechanical parameters and IH reduced Ers and H leading to very low values in ORX-IH mice. Finally, the total number of cells and the number of lymphocytes in BAL were both increased by IH in ORX mice. Since reduced lung elasticity, low O2 extraction, increased lung volumes and inflammation are signs of emphysematous lung disease, we conclude that testosterone might prevent lung emphysema during IH exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gauthier Ganouna-Cohen
- Centre de Recherche de l'Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie du Québec, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Fatemeh Khadangi
- Centre de Recherche de l'Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie du Québec, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - François Marcouiller
- Centre de Recherche de l'Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie du Québec, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Ynuk Bossé
- Centre de Recherche de l'Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie du Québec, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Vincent Joseph
- Centre de Recherche de l'Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie du Québec, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
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Abstract
Inflammation is a characteristic marker in numerous lung disorders. Several immune cells, such as macrophages, dendritic cells, eosinophils, as well as T and B lymphocytes, synthetize and release cytokines involved in the inflammatory process. Gender differences in the incidence and severity of inflammatory lung ailments including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pulmonary fibrosis (PF), lung cancer (LC), and infectious related illnesses have been reported. Moreover, the effects of sex hormones on both androgens and estrogens, such as testosterone (TES) and 17β-estradiol (E2), driving characteristic inflammatory patterns in those lung inflammatory diseases have been investigated. In general, androgens seem to display anti-inflammatory actions, whereas estrogens produce pro-inflammatory effects. For instance, androgens regulate negatively inflammation in asthma by targeting type 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) and T-helper (Th)-2 cells to attenuate interleukin (IL)-17A-mediated responses and leukotriene (LT) biosynthesis pathway. Estrogens may promote neutrophilic inflammation in subjects with asthma and COPD. Moreover, the activation of estrogen receptors might induce tumorigenesis. In this chapter, we summarize the most recent advances in the functional roles and associated signaling pathways of inflammatory cellular responses in asthma, COPD, PF, LC, and newly occurring COVID-19 disease. We also meticulously deliberate the influence of sex steroids on the development and progress of these common and severe lung diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Reyes-García
- Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, CDMX, Mexico City, Mexico.,Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Luis M Montaño
- Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, CDMX, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Abril Carbajal-García
- Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, CDMX, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Yong-Xiao Wang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY, USA.
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Han YY, Forno E, Witchel SF, Manni ML, Acosta-Pérez E, Canino G, Celedón JC. Testosterone-to-estradiol ratio and lung function in a prospective study of Puerto Rican youth. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2021; 127:236-242.e1. [PMID: 33892162 DOI: 10.1016/j.anai.2021.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Age- and sex-related differences in asthma may be due to changes in sex hormone levels. OBJECTIVE To evaluate whether a change in free testosterone or free testosterone-to-estradiol ratio is associated with changes in lung function and eosinophils in the Puerto Rican youth. METHODS We tested for the association between the change in sex hormone levels and change in lung function or change in eosinophils in a prospective study of 317 children (with and without asthma) followed up from ages 6 to 14 years to ages 10 to 20 years (146 females, 171 males) in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Serum levels of testosterone, estradiol, sex hormone-binding globulin, and progesterone were measured at 2 study visits, approximately 4.9 years apart. Using testosterone and sex hormone-binding globulin levels, we derived free testosterone and the free testosterone-to-estradiol ratio. Multivariable linear regression was used for the analysis of change in lung function and eosinophils, conducted separately by sex. RESULTS In girls, each quartile increment in the free testosterone-to-estradiol ratio was associated with a 2.03% increment in percent predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) between study visits. In males, each quartile increment in the free testosterone-to-estradiol ratio was associated with a 3.27% increment in percent predicted FEV1 and a 1.81% increment in percent predicted FEV1/FVC between study visits. In girls with asthma, an increased free testosterone-to-estradiol ratio was significantly associated with decreased eosinophils between visits (P=0.03). CONCLUSION In Puerto Rican youth, increased free testosterone-to-estradiol ratio over time was associated with an increased FEV1/FVC in both sexes, and with an increased FEV1 in males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yueh-Ying Han
- Division of Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Erick Forno
- Division of Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Selma F Witchel
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Michelle L Manni
- Division of Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Edna Acosta-Pérez
- Behavioral Sciences Research Institute, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Glorisa Canino
- Behavioral Sciences Research Institute, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Juan C Celedón
- Division of Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
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Abstract
Introduction: A growing body of evidence indicates that prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has been increasing more rapidly among women compared to men, but the available data on the differences between the sexes in the responses to the various COPD therapies are still scarce.Areas covered: The aim of this narrative review is to provide an overview of current knowledge on sex differences in COPD management.Expert opinion: There is no solid evidence of sex differences in response to usual COPD treatments but there are sex-related differences in management of patients with a clinical diagnosis of COPD. It is difficult to explain the reason for these differences, but most likely they are due to local prescribing habits, rather than solid scientific reasons. However, there are also signals of different sex-related responses, the qualification and quantification of which is difficult with the information currently available. These signals should lead to the inclusion of more women in clinical trials, but also to the design of prospective clinical studies to assess the possible differences linked to sex in COPD treatment responses, whose identification is an important step toward the definition of personalized COPD therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Gabriella Matera
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Josuel Ora
- Respiratory Diseases Unit, "Tor Vergata" University Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Luigino Calzetta
- Unit of Respiratory Disease and Lung Function Dept. Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, ParmaItaly
| | - Paola Rogliani
- Respiratory Diseases Unit, "Tor Vergata" University Hospital, Rome, Italy.,Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Mario Cazzola
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
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Kalidhindi RSR, Borkar NA, Ambhore NS, Pabelick CM, Prakash YS, Sathish V. Sex steroids skew ACE2 expression in human airway: a contributing factor to sex differences in COVID-19? Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2020; 319:L843-L847. [PMID: 32996784 PMCID: PMC7789973 DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00391.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The incidence, severity, and mortality of ongoing coronavirus infectious disease 19 (COVID-19) is greater in men compared with women, but the underlying factors contributing to this sex difference are still being explored. In the current study, using primary isolated human airway smooth muscle (ASM) cells from normal males versus females as a model, we explored the effect of estrogen versus testosterone in modulating the expression of angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), a cell entry point for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Using confocal imaging, we found that ACE2 is expressed in human ASM. Furthermore, Western analysis of ASM cell lysates showed significantly lower ACE2 expression in females compared with males at baseline. In addition, ASM cells exposed to estrogen and testosterone for 24 h showed that testosterone significantly upregulates ACE2 expression in both males and females, whereas estrogen downregulates ACE2, albeit not significant compared with vehicle. These intrinsic and sex steroids induced differences may help explain sex differences in COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rama Satyanarayana Raju Kalidhindi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, College of Health Professions, North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota
| | - Niyati A Borkar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, College of Health Professions, North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota
| | - Nilesh Sudhakar Ambhore
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, College of Health Professions, North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota
| | - Christina M Pabelick
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.,Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Y S Prakash
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.,Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Venkatachalem Sathish
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, College of Health Professions, North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota
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Carbajal-García A, Reyes-García J, Montaño LM. Androgen Effects on the Adrenergic System of the Vascular, Airway, and Cardiac Myocytes and Their Relevance in Pathological Processes. Int J Endocrinol 2020; 2020:8849641. [PMID: 33273918 PMCID: PMC7676939 DOI: 10.1155/2020/8849641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Revised: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Androgen signaling comprises nongenomic and genomic pathways. Nongenomic actions are not related to the binding of the androgen receptor (AR) and occur rapidly. The genomic effects implicate the binding to a cytosolic AR, leading to protein synthesis. Both events are independent of each other. Genomic effects have been associated with different pathologies such as vascular ischemia, hypertension, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Catecholamines play a crucial role in regulating vascular smooth muscle (VSM), airway smooth muscle (ASM), and cardiac muscle (CM) function and tone. OBJECTIVE The aim of this review is an updated analysis of the role of androgens in the adrenergic system of vascular, airway, and cardiac myocytes. Body. Testosterone (T) favors vasoconstriction, and its concentration fluctuation during life stages can affect the vascular tone and might contribute to the development of hypertension. In the VSM, T increases α1-adrenergic receptors (α 1-ARs) and decreases adenylyl cyclase expression, favoring high blood pressure and hypertension. Androgens have also been associated with asthma. During puberty, girls are more susceptible to present asthma symptoms than boys because of the increment in the plasmatic concentrations of T in young men. In the ASM, β 2-ARs are responsible for the bronchodilator effect, and T augments the expression of β 2-ARs evoking an increase in the relaxing response to salbutamol. The levels of T are also associated with an increment in atherosclerosis and cardiovascular risk. In the CM, activation of α 1A-ARs and β 2-ARs increases the ionotropic activity, leading to the development of contraction, and T upregulates the expression of both receptors and improves the myocardial performance. CONCLUSIONS Androgens play an essential role in the adrenergic system of vascular, airway, and cardiac myocytes, favoring either a state of health or disease. While the use of androgens as a therapeutic tool for treating asthma symptoms or heart disease is proposed, the vascular system is warmly affected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abril Carbajal-García
- Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, CDMX, Mexico
| | - Jorge Reyes-García
- Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, CDMX, Mexico
| | - Luis M. Montaño
- Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, CDMX, Mexico
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