Dihydrotestosterone Induces Arterial Stiffening in Female Mice

In a study examining the effects of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) on arterial stiffness in female mice, researchers found that DHT treatment led to a significant decrease in G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) mRNA and estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) expression in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells and in aortic tissue. The study involved 8-9 female C57Bl/6 mice per group, treated with silastic capsules containing DHT for 4 weeks at two different dosages. The results showed a more than two-fold increase in arterial stiffness as measured by pulse wave velocity in both DHT-treated groups compared to controls, with no significant changes in blood pressure, aortic wall thickness, or smooth muscle content. However, there was a dose-dependent increase in body weight and a significant decrease in aortic collagen content in the double dose group. These findings suggest that testosterone can promote arterial stiffening and cardiovascular damage in female mice, with implications for women with polycystic ovarian syndrome, those using testosterone for various reasons, and potentially for cardiovascular risk assessment.