Testosterone Modulates Vasodilation in Mesenteric Arteries of Hypertensive Rats

The study investigated the effects of supraphysiological doses of testosterone on mesenteric vascular reactivity in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). The main finding was that testosterone modulates the vascular environment by altering endothelial relaxation pathways, which may help maintain endothelial homeostasis even at high concentrations. The study also highlighted the essential role of 17-β-estradiol (E2) in vascular relaxation, as it modulates the action of prostanoids and nitric oxide, although dihydrotestosterone (DHT) appears to decrease nitric oxide levels. The research was conducted on 8- to 10-week-old SHRs and supported by various Brazilian research funding agencies.