Modulation of aortic vascular reactivity by sex hormones in a male rat model of metabolic syndrome

Modulation by sex hormones of aortic reactivity in rats with the metabolic syndrome (MS) was investigated. The following groups of weanling male Wistar rats were used: control rats (C) received regular tap water while MS rats received 30% sucrose in their drinking water; both had rodent chow for 24 weeks. These two groups were further subdivided into the following four groups: intact (Int), castrated (Cas), castrated plus testosterone (T) and castrated plus estradiol (E). Vascular response of thoracic aortic rings to norepinephrine (NE), acetylcholine (ACh), indomethacin (Indo) and nitro-l-arginine-methyl ester (l-NAME) was investigated. Blood pressure (BP) and serum nitrates and nitrites were measured. BP and serum nitrates and nitrites were modified by castration and treatments with either T or E. Vasoconstriction in Int MS and Cas MS + T aortas was larger than in C and Cas C + T, respectively. Vasodilation in Int MS and Cas MS + T was reduced in comparison with C and Cas C + T, Cas MS and Cas MS + E. Indomethacin decreased vasoconstriction in all groups (P < 0.002) but Int C and Cas C + T remained significantly smaller than Int MS and Cas MS + T. l-NAME in NE-contracted vessels induced a significant increase in vasoconstriction, except in Cas C + E rats; the responses of Int MS and Cas MS + T were significantly larger than in Int C and Cas C + T. The results suggest endothelial dysfunction in Int MS and Cas MS + T and a protective effect resulting from castration and castration plus E in MS animals, indicating a sex hormone influence.