2007•Cellular Physiology and BiochemistryOpen access
Effects of Testosterone on Cytokines and Left Ventricular Remodeling Following Heart Failure
Yanzhou Zhang, Xing Xiao-wen, Ben He, Lexin Wang
Open full text 31 citations
Abstract
AIMS: To investigate the effects of testosterone treatment on cytokines, ventricular remodeling in rats with heart failure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sprague-Dawley male rats with heart failure were divided into testosterone (n = 22) and placebo (n = 22) group. Pseudo surgery was performed on a third group of 15 male rats as control. RESULTS: Compared with the placebo group, the testosterone group had a greater LVEF (P <0.05), a higher serum IL-10 level (P <0.05) and a lower serum TNF-alpha level (P<0.05). The expression of TNF-alpha mRNA, MMP-9 mRNA and the myocardial hydroxyproline contents in the testosterone group were also lower than in the placebo group (P<0.05). The mortality rate in the testosterone and placebo group was 31.8% and 68.2%, respectively (P <0.05). CONCLUSION: Serum testosterone levels were decreased significantly in male rats with heart failure. Testosterone treatment diminishes the imbalance between interleukin-10 and TNF-alpha, suppresses ventricular remodeling and improves cardiac function.