Sex Differences in Proatherogenic Cytokine Levels.
ACE2
IL-1β
IL-6
OPG
TNF-α
atherosclerosis
cytokines
gender
healthy adults
inflammation
sex
Journal
International journal of molecular sciences
ISSN: 1422-0067
Titre abrégé: Int J Mol Sci
Pays: Switzerland
ID NLM: 101092791
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
29 May 2020
29 May 2020
Historique:
received:
29
04
2020
revised:
22
05
2020
accepted:
27
05
2020
entrez:
4
6
2020
pubmed:
4
6
2020
medline:
17
2
2021
Statut:
epublish
Résumé
It has been shown that sex affects immunity, including cytokine production. Given that atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease promoted by specific cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, we aimed at evaluating whether sex could affect the levels of these proatherogenic cytokines in a group of healthy adults. In this analysis, we also included other cytokines and peptides that have been implicated in atherosclerosis development and progression. A total of 104 healthy adults were recruited; we measured circulating levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, angiotensins and angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2), as well as osteoprotegerin and receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL). IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α were significantly higher in men as compared to women. They were all associated with testosterone and the testosterone/estradiol ratio. They remained significantly associated with sex (but not with hormones) after being tested for potential confounders. Sex seems to influence the levels of proatherogenic cytokines. This is consistent not only with sex differences in vulnerability to infections but also with the higher cardiovascular risk exhibited by the male gender as compared to the female gender. Nevertheless, this association is only partly explained by hormone levels.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
It has been shown that sex affects immunity, including cytokine production. Given that atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease promoted by specific cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, we aimed at evaluating whether sex could affect the levels of these proatherogenic cytokines in a group of healthy adults. In this analysis, we also included other cytokines and peptides that have been implicated in atherosclerosis development and progression.
METHODS
METHODS
A total of 104 healthy adults were recruited; we measured circulating levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, angiotensins and angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2), as well as osteoprotegerin and receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL).
RESULTS
RESULTS
IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α were significantly higher in men as compared to women. They were all associated with testosterone and the testosterone/estradiol ratio. They remained significantly associated with sex (but not with hormones) after being tested for potential confounders.
CONCLUSIONS
CONCLUSIONS
Sex seems to influence the levels of proatherogenic cytokines. This is consistent not only with sex differences in vulnerability to infections but also with the higher cardiovascular risk exhibited by the male gender as compared to the female gender. Nevertheless, this association is only partly explained by hormone levels.
Identifiants
pubmed: 32485823
pii: ijms21113861
doi: 10.3390/ijms21113861
pmc: PMC7311959
pii:
doi:
Substances chimiques
Biomarkers
0
Interleukins
0
RANK Ligand
0
TNFSF11 protein, human
0
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
0
ACE2 protein, human
EC 3.4.17.23
Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2
EC 3.4.17.23
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Subventions
Organisme : Ministero della Salute
ID : GR-2013-02357830
Organisme : Università degli Studi di Trieste
ID : N/A
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