Gender differences in the effect of aspirin on retinal ischemia, prostanoid synthesis and nitric oxide production in experimental type 1-like diabetes

BackgroundThe protective effect of acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) against cardiovascular events is known to be weaker in women than in men. The present study was designed to test whether this effect of aspirin differed between sexes in an experimental model of diabetes with retinal ischemia.MethodsWe compared nondiabetic rats and rats after 1, 2 and 3 months of diabetes that were given 2 mg/kg/day p.o. of aspirin from the first day of diabetes. The variables recorded were platelet aggregation, production of thromboxane B2 (TxB2), 6-keto-prostaglandin F1α and aortic nitric oxide, and the percentage of the retinal surface occupied by horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-permeable vessels.ResultsIn female rats made diabetic, TxB2 synthesis was more markedly reduced, and the percentage of HRP-permeable retinal vessels was less markedly reduced, than in their male counterparts. The response to aspirin treatment was weaker in female than in male diabetic rats in terms of inhibition of TxB2 synthesis, increased nitric oxide production, and prevention of the increase in the percentage of retinal surface covered by HRP-permeable vessels.ConclusionAspirin was less effective in preventing retinal ischemia in experimental diabetes in female than in male rats.