Differences in angiotensin (1–7) between men and women

Jennifer C. Sullivan, Paula Rodriguez-Miguelez, Margaret A. Zimmerman, Ryan A. Harris

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

53 Scopus citations

Abstract

In experimental animal models of hypertension, angiotensin (1–7) [ANG-(1–7)] is higher in females compared with males; however, it is less clear whether the same applies to humans. Therefore, this study sought to compare circulating concentrations of ANG-(1–7) in apparently healthy men and women under normal physiological conditions. With the use of a cross-sectional experimental design, blood was collected in EDTA anticoagulant from 42 volunteers (21 men and 21 women; and age range, 19–48 yr) for analysis of plasma concentrations of ANG-(1–7) and ANG II. Blood pressure was measured and vascular endothelial function was determined (n = 25) using the brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) test. As a result, women exhibited a higher circulating concentration of ANG-(1–7) (P = 0.04) compared with men, whereas values of ANG II were similar between groups.Baseline arterial diameter, peak diameter, and shear rate were significantly greater (P < 0.02) in men compared with women. No significant differences in FMD, FMD normalized for shear, or time to peak dilation were observed between men and women. In addition, a positive correlation between ANG-(1–7) and FMD (P = 0.04) and negative association between ANG-(1–7) with ANG II (P = 0.01) were only identified in men, whereas a positive relationship between ANG-(1–7) and diastolic blood pressure (P = 0.03) was observed in women. In conclusion:, women exhibit significantly higher plasma concentrations of ANG-(1–7) compared with men. In addition, this study describes a relationship between ANG-(1–7), vascular function, and diastolic blood pressure that appears to be sex dependent.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)H1171-H1176
JournalAmerican Journal of Physiology - Heart and Circulatory Physiology
Volume308
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - 2015

Keywords

  • ANG-(1–7)
  • Blood pressure
  • Renin-angiotensin system
  • Sex

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Physiology
  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Physiology (medical)

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