Cross-sex testosterone therapy modifies the renal morphology and function in female rats and might underlie increased systolic pressure

Author(s)

Lichtenecker, Debora Conte Kimura ^[1] ; Argeri, Rogerio ^[1] ; Castro, Charlles Heldan de Moura ^[2] ; Dias-da-Silva, Magnus Regios ^[3] ; Gomes, Guiomar Nascimento ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Dept Physiol, Lab Renal Physiol, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Dept Med, Rheumatol Div, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[3] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Dept Med, Lab Mol & Translat Endocrinol, Endocrinol Div, Pedro Toledo 669, 11 Andar, BR-04039032 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology; v. 48, n. 7 APR 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Testosterone esters are hormones commonly used for affirming gender identity in transmen. The present study evaluates the effect of testosterone on renal morphology and function in an animal model submitted to cross-sex hormone therapy used for transmen. Two-month-old Wistar rats were divided into three groups: male control (MC), female control (FC), and female on testosterone therapy (FTT). The FTT group received testosterone cypionate (3.0 mg/kg, i.m.), and the MC and MF groups received vehicle oil every 10 days for 4 months. Renal function and indirect systolic blood pressure (SBP) measurements were evaluated at 6 months of age. Plasma and urine concentrations of urea, creatinine, sodium, potassium, osmolality, and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) were measured. The kidneys were weighed, paraffin-embedded, and histological sections were prepared to evaluate the glomerular area. We verified that the FTT group, in comparison to FC, had increased kidney weight {[}MC, 3.2 +/- 0.05; FC, 1.8 +/- 0.04; FTT, 2.2 +/- 0.06; g], decreased urine osmolarity {[}MC, 486.9 +/- 18.3; FC, 1012.0 +/- 5.4; FTT, 768.2 +/- 40.3 mOsm/L/g kw], reduced GFR {[}MC, 0.77 +/- 0.04; FC, 0.78 +/- 0.02; FTT, 0.67 +/- 0.03; mL/min/g kw], larger glomerular area {[}MC, 9334 +/- 120.8; FC, 7884 +/- 112.8; FTT, 9078 +/- 133.4 mu m(2)], and higher SBP {[}MC, 126 +/- 3.4; FC, 119 +/- 1.0; FTT, 131 +/- 1.4; mmHg]. Sodium excretion was higher in FC and FTT in comparison to MC {[}MC, 0.34 +/- 0.05; FC, 0.56 +/- 0.06; FTT, 0.54 +/- 0.04; mEq/24 h/g kw]. Cross-sex hormone therapy with testosterone in female rats induces renal morphofunctional changes and may underlie increased systolic pressure, suggesting an adaptation similar to what is observed in transmen on long-term testosterone therapy. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 18/03511-0 - EFFECTS OF FRUTOSE OVERLOAD DURING PREGNANCY ON THE KIDNEY FUNCTION OF THE OFFSPRING.
• Grantee: Guiomar Nascimento Gomes
• Support type: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 14/06570-6 - Comprehensive whole exome, paired-end RNA and genome sequencing: new insights into genetic bases of thyroid carcinoma in pediatric and adult ages and applications in clinical practice
• Grantee: Janete Maria Cerutti
• Support type: Research Projects - Thematic Grants