Gender differences in the effect of aspirin on retinal ischemia, prostanoid synthesis and nitric oxide production in experimental type 1-like diabetes

• Published in: Vascular pharmacology Vol. 47; no. 2; pp. 83 - 89
• Main Authors: González-Correa, J.A, Arrebola, M.M, Muñoz-Marín, J, Moreno, A, Guerrero, A, Arranz, I, Sánchez De La Cuesta, F, De La Cruz, J.P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.08.2007
• Subjects: Animals; Aspirin; Aspirin - pharmacology; Cardiovascular; Diabetes; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental - complications; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental - drug therapy; Diabetic retinopathy; Diabetic Retinopathy - prevention & control; Female; Gender; Ischemia - drug therapy; Male; Nitric Oxide - biosynthesis; Platelet Aggregation - drug effects; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors - pharmacology; Prostaglandins - biosynthesis; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Retinal Vessels - drug effects; Sex Factors; Streptozocin; Thromboxane B2 - biosynthesis; NO; thromboxane B 2; Diabetic retinopathy; nitric oxide; Aspirin; HRP; horseradish peroxidase; TxB 2; Diabetes; Gender; acetylsalicylic acid; ASA
• ISSN: 1537-1891; 1879-3649
• DOI: 10.1016/j.vph.2006.11.007

Abstract Background The protective effect of acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) against cardiovascular events is known to be weaker in women than in men. The present study was designed to test whether this effect of aspirin differed between sexes in an experimental model of diabetes with retinal ischemia. Methods We compared nondiabetic rats and rats after 1, 2 and 3 months of diabetes that were given 2 mg/kg/day p.o. of aspirin from the first day of diabetes. The variables recorded were platelet aggregation, production of thromboxane B2 (TxB2 ), 6-keto-prostaglandin F1α and aortic nitric oxide, and the percentage of the retinal surface occupied by horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-permeable vessels. Results In female rats made diabetic, TxB2 synthesis was more markedly reduced, and the percentage of HRP-permeable retinal vessels was less markedly reduced, than in their male counterparts. The response to aspirin treatment was weaker in female than in male diabetic rats in terms of inhibition of TxB2 synthesis, increased nitric oxide production, and prevention of the increase in the percentage of retinal surface covered by HRP-permeable vessels. Conclusion Aspirin was less effective in preventing retinal ischemia in experimental diabetes in female than in male rats.