17β-Estradiol treatment reversed left ventricular dysfunction in castrated male rats: an echocardiographic study

No data are available on heart function in chronic testosterone deficiency and on the effect of estrogen treatment. Eighteen 4-week-old male Lewis rats were randomly divided into three groups (n = 6): one group of sham-operated rats and two groups of castrated rats. 66 weeks after surgery, one castrated group received a dose of 17β-estradiol (10 μg/kg/day) and the remaining two groups received a placebo subcutaneously for 14 days. Left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic functions were measured by transthoracic echocardiography. Castration decreased LV ejection fraction (9%) and fractional shortening (15%) and deteriorated LV diastolic function (94%). 17β-estradiol treatment increased LV ejection fraction (15%) and fractional shortening (31%) and improved LV diastolic function (48%). Plasma testosterone concentrations were decreased in both castrated groups. In conclusion, chronic testosterone deficiency induced left ventricular systolic and diastolic dysfunction; these disorders were reversed by shor...