Assessment of androgen receptor, IGF-IR and insulin receptor expression in male patients with severe peripheral artery disease
Michele Andreucci,
Damiano Cosimo Rigiracciolo,
Umberto Marcello Bracale,
Nicola Ielapi,
Michele Provenzano,
Diletta D'Iuorno,
Ashour Michael,
Pasquale Mastroroberto,
Giuseppe Filiberto Serraino,
Marcello Maggiolini,
Raffaele Serra
Affiliations
Michele Andreucci
Department of Health Sciences, Nephrology Unit, University of Catanzaro, I-88100, Catanzaro, Italy
Damiano Cosimo Rigiracciolo
Department of Pharmacy and Health and Nutrition Sciences, University of Calabria, I-87036, Rende CS, Italy
Umberto Marcello Bracale
Department of Public Health, Vascular Surgery Unit, University of Naples “Federico II”, I-80126, Naples, Italy
Nicola Ielapi
Sapienza” University of Rome, Department of Public Health and Infectious Disease, I-00185 Roma, Italy; Interuniversity Center of Phlebolymphology (CIFL), International Research and Educational Program in Clinical and Experimental Biotechnology” at the Department of Surgical and Medical Sciences University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, I-88100 Catanzaro, Italy
Michele Provenzano
Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Catanzaro, I-88100, Catanzaro, Italy
Diletta D'Iuorno
Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Catanzaro, I-88100, Catanzaro, Italy
Ashour Michael
Department of Health Sciences, Nephrology Unit, University of Catanzaro, I-88100, Catanzaro, Italy
Pasquale Mastroroberto
Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Catanzaro, I-88100, Catanzaro, Italy
Giuseppe Filiberto Serraino
Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Catanzaro, I-88100, Catanzaro, Italy
Marcello Maggiolini
Department of Pharmacy and Health and Nutrition Sciences, University of Calabria, I-87036, Rende CS, Italy; Corresponding author.
Raffaele Serra
Interuniversity Center of Phlebolymphology (CIFL), International Research and Educational Program in Clinical and Experimental Biotechnology” at the Department of Surgical and Medical Sciences University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, I-88100 Catanzaro, Italy; Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Catanzaro, I-88100, Catanzaro, Italy; Corresponding author.
Background: Peripheral artery disease (PAD) of the lower limbs is a common condition that can affect quality of life. Androgen receptor (AR) can exert sex-specific effects on metabolic system, endothelial function and vascular tone. IGF-I receptor (IGF-IR) and insulin receptor (IR) may also be involved in the aforementioned functions. The aim of this study was to evaluate AR, IGF-IR and IR expression in the arterial vessel walls of PAD patients. Results: This is a cross-sectional study examining 30 males with PAD undergoing open surgery procedures. Mean age was 75.9 ± 8.8y. All patients belonged to Rutherford stage 4–6. Median expression levels of IR, IGF-IR and AR significantly decreased from stage 4–6 (p < 0.05). Significance: The study evidenced a progressive decrease of IR, IGF-IR and AR expression as the severity of disease increased. Altered levels of IR, IGF-IR and AR following PAD may be useful for the clinical evaluation of these patients.
