Sexual hormones: Effects on cardiac and mitochondrial activity after ischemia–reperfusion in adult rats. Gender difference

In this work we studied the influence of sex hormones on heart and mitochondrial functions, from adult castrated female and male, and intact rats. Castration was performed at their third week of life and on the fourth month animals were subjected to heart ischemia and reperfusion. Electrocardiogram and blood pressure recordings were made, cytokines levels were measured, histopathological studies were performed and thiobarbituric acid reactive species were determined. At the mitochondrial level respiratory control, transmembranal potential and calcium management were determined; Western blot of some mitochondrial components was also performed. Alterations in cardiac function were worst in intact males and castrated females as compared with those found in intact females and castrated males, cytokine levels were modulated also by hormonal status. Regarding mitochondria, in those obtained from hearts from castrated females without ischemia–reperfusion, all evaluated parameters were similar to those observed in mitochondria after ischemia–reperfusion. The results show hormonal influences on the heart at functional and mitochondrial levels.

► Castration in male rats protects from ischemia–reperfusion injury.
► Hormonal status modulates cytokine levels according gender.
► Castration of female rats generates mitochondrial alterations that are not present in males under similar conditions.