American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine
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Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. · May 2016
Higher Estradiol and Lower Dehydroepiandrosterone-Sulfate Levels Are Associated With Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in Men.
Recent studies have focused on the role of female sex and estradiol (E2) in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), but it is not known whether sex hormones are risk factors for PAH in men. ⋯ Higher levels of E2 and lower levels of DHEA-S were associated with PAH in men. Sex-based differences in sex hormone processing and signaling may contribute to unique phenotypes in pulmonary vascular disease.
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Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. · May 2016
Haptoglobin Preserves Vascular Nitric Oxide Signaling During Hemolysis.
Hemolysis occurs not only in conditions such as sickle cell disease and malaria but also during transfusion of stored blood, extracorporeal circulation, and sepsis. Cell-free Hb depletes nitric oxide (NO) in the vasculature, causing vasoconstriction and eventually cardiovascular complications. We hypothesize that Hb-binding proteins may preserve vascular NO signaling during hemolysis. ⋯ Sequential compartmentalization of Hb by erythrocytes and scavenger protein complexes is an archetypical mechanism, which may have supported coevolution of hemolysis and normal vascular function. Therapeutic supplementation of Hb scavengers may restore vascular NO signaling and attenuate disease complications in patients with hemolysis.