Testosterone worsens heart attack damage

Testosterone worsens heart attack damage

Testosterone worsens the damage caused by a heart attack by increasing the number of white blood cells released from the bone marrow. This is shown in a study by the Swedes at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden. The results may have implications for the treatment of heart attacks in men and women.

The study, published in Nature Communications, may explain why damage to the heart muscle after a heart attack is more extensive in men than in women. The research was conducted in animal models and using patient data from a clinical trial. The findings highlight the damage caused by inflammation to the heart and are relevant to ongoing studies of anti-inflammatory drugs to treat heart attacks.

Testosterone worsens inflammation

A heart attack occurs when the blood supply to the heart is blocked, which damages the heart muscle. This is followed by a strong inflammatory response in which neutrophils – a type of white blood cell – play a key role in making the injury more severe.

In experiments on mice, researchers observed that the number of neutrophils in the blood was higher in men than in women within the first few days of a heart attack. Further research showed that testosterone, present at significantly higher levels in men, accelerates the release of neutrophils from the bone marrow.

One of the lead researchers behind the study is Åsa Tivesten, Professor of Medicine at the Sahlgrlenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg and senior physician at Sahlgrenska University Hospital:

"We see that testosterone increases the inflammatory response in male mice and leads to greater cardiac injury. Testosterone plays a clear role in worsening inflammation after a heart attack," says Åsa Tivesten.

Greater effect on men

Researchers also analyzed data from a clinical trial in which the anti-inflammatory drug tocilizumab was given to patients shortly after a heart attack. The analysis showed that the drug reduced neutrophil levels and reduced heart damage, with a significantly greater effect in men than in women.

Our study shows how testosterone influences neutrophils through a previously unknown mechanism. The results demonstrate the importance of considering gender differences in both research and health care. If these differences are overlooked, treatments may be less effective, especially for women, who are often underrepresented in studies. “

Åsa Tivesten, Professor of Medicine at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg

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