Chronic intermittent hypoxia-induced hypertension: the impact of sex hormones

Abstract

Obstructive sleep apnea, a common form of sleep-disordered breathing, is characterized by intermittent cessations of breathing that reduce blood oxygen levels and contribute to the development of hypertension. Hypertension is a major complication of obstructive sleep apnea that elevates the risk of end-organ damage. Premenopausal women have a lower prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea and cardiovascular disease than men and postmenopausal women, suggesting that sex hormones play a role in the pathophysiology of sleep apnea-related hypertension. The lack of protection in men and postmenopausal women implicates estrogen and progesterone as protective agents but testosterone as a permissive agent in sleep apnea-induced hypertension. A better understanding of how sex hormones contribute to the pathophysiology of sleep apnea-induced hypertension is important for future research and possible hormone-based interventions. The effect of sex on the pathophysiology of sleep apnea and associated intermittent hypoxia-induced hypertension is of important consideration in the screening, diagnosis, and treatment of the disease and its cardiovascular complications. This review summarizes our current understanding of the impact of sex hormones on blood pressure regulation in sleep apnea with a focus on sex differences.

Investigating the potential neuroprotective benefits of taurine and Dihydrotestosterone and Hydroxyprogesterone levels in SH-SY5Y cells

“…It is important to note that while symptomatic treatment does not halt the progression of the disease, it does help to slow it down ( DeTure and Dickson, 2019 ). Research indicates that reduced levels of estrogen and progesterone in women may elevate the susceptibility to AD, whereas a decline in testosterone production as men age may also heighten the risk of AD ( Appiah et al, 2024 ). Additionally, the extension of menopause and the resulting prolonged exposure to female sex hormones lead to a postponement of cognitive decline in women ( Radaghdam et al, 2021 ).…”

Impact of sex and hypoxia on brain region-specific expression of membrane androgen receptor AR45 in rats

“…For comparisons, we also examined AR45 and G αq protein expression in the STR, which is a brain region associated with complex cognitive tasks but is not directly connected to the hippocampus ( 35 , 36 , 38 – 41 ). Additionally, we investigated whether CIH, an oxidative stressor with sex-specific effects on hippocampal-associated cognition ( 33 , 42 ), would modulate AR45 and G αq expression in these brain regions.…”