Efectos de la testosterona y del complejo dextrano-ácido aminocaproíco-6-testosterona sobre corazón aislado y perfundido a flujo constante

Epidemiological and clinical studies suggest that testosterone is considered a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Nevertheless, there is few data about the effects of testosterone at cardiovascular level. In addition, the mechanism of action of testosterone and its cellular site of action are still unclear. Recently, it has been suggested that extra cellular effects of the hormone are likely involved with non-genomic mechanism. As to provide further information about this phenomenon, we evaluated the effects of free testosterone and dextran-aminocaproic acid-6-testosterone complex on isolated rat hearts at constant flow (Langendorff model). Our results showed that both free testosterone and dextran-aminocaproic acid-6-testosterone complex: 1) increase the perfusion pressure and vascular resistance and 2) block adenosine-induced vasodilation. These, data indicate that effects induced by free testosterone and macromolecular complex were similar and indistinguishable and possibly occur through non-genomic mechanisms.