Title:Differences Among Sexes in Blood Pressure: A Combinatorial Consequence
of the Differences between RAAS Components, Sex Hormones,
and Time Course
Volume: 18
Issue: 1
Author(s): Xiaomei Yang, Shien Liu and Zhongming Zhang*
Affiliation:
- Zhang Zhongjing College of Chinese Medicine, and Henan Key Laboratory of
Zhang Zhongjing Formulae and Herbs for Immunoregulation, Nanyang Institute of Technology; 80 Changjiang Rd.
Nanyang, Henan, 473004, China
Keywords:
RAAS, sex difference, prenatal programming, sex hormones, time course.
Abstract: For all lives regardless of sex, the longitudinal increase in blood pressure (BP) with age
is attributed to lifestyle, internal environments like systemic brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)
signaling, and external environments, allowing the individuals to better adapt to the developmental
and environmental changes. Basic levels of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS)
components in males and females define the fundamental sex difference in BP, which may be set
by prenatal programming and the profound influence of BP after birth. The innate sex difference in
BP is magnified during puberty growth and later on, affected and modified by menopause in women.
At the age of 70 and older, blood pressure has been found to be similar for men and women. Understanding
the prenatal setup and development of sexual dimorphism in BP may provide preventative
therapeutic strategies, including timing and choice of drugs, for individuals with abnormal BP.
