High Testosterone Levels: Impact on the Heart

Effect of testosterone on the mRNA expression of Wnt-2 and dickkopf1 (DKK1), collagen deposition and oxidative stress in the cardiac tissue in male rats

“…In spite of the beneficial effects of testosterone, some studies reported that testosterone misuse is associated with the occurrence of premature cardiovascular events and an increase in cardiovascular complications such as myocardial hypertrophy, myocardial infarction, myocardial fibrosis, and myocardial apoptotic death (1,3,4). Levels higher than physiological values of testosterone and other androgens may increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and these effects are probably through changes in homeostatic mechanisms, changes in lipid profile, activation of proinflammatory and redox processes, reduction of nitric oxide bioavailability and effect on vasoconstrictor signalling pathways (5).…”