Effect of Androgens on Human Fascia
Androgens are emerging as important regulators of connective tissue remodeling, but current knowledge about their role in human fascia is still limited. This study examined the expression of the androgen receptor (AR) in human deep fascia and investigated the effects of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) on...
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2025-06-01
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| author | Caterina Fede Yunfeng Sun Xiaoxiao Zhao Andrea Angelini Pietro Ruggieri Carla Stecco |
| author_facet | Caterina Fede Yunfeng Sun Xiaoxiao Zhao Andrea Angelini Pietro Ruggieri Carla Stecco |
| author_sort | Caterina Fede |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Androgens are emerging as important regulators of connective tissue remodeling, but current knowledge about their role in human fascia is still limited. This study examined the expression of the androgen receptor (AR) in human deep fascia and investigated the effects of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) on collagen production by fascial fibroblasts. Fascia lata and thoracolumbar fascia samples were collected from four adult donors (two male and two female). AR expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry and immunocytochemistry. Fascial fibroblasts were treated in vitro for 24 h with DHT at concentrations reflecting physiological levels: 0.4 ng/mL (female), 4 ng/mL (male average), and 10 ng/mL (high male dose). Collagen content was quantified using Picrosirius Red staining, and collagen I and III were evaluated using immunocytochemistry and image analysis, and were compared to an untreated control group. AR was detected in all samples. Low-dose DHT (0.4 ng/mL) significantly increased collagen I (4.80 ± 1.75%) and decreased collagen III (3.32 ± 0.46%) compared to controls (2.09 ± 0.91% and 10.46 ± 0.53%, respectively; <i>p</i> < 0.05). Higher DHT doses induced smaller or no significant changes in collagen subtype expression (e.g., 10 ng/mL: 2.03 ± 0.81% for collagen I, 8.49 ± 1.85% for collagen III). The results demonstrated that human fascia is hormonally responsive via AR, with DHT modulating matrix composition in a dose-dependent manner. The distinct effects at male and female levels may help explain gender differences in fascial stiffness and pain. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-2804e37f188d411190d55eabd309f39a |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2079-7737 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-2804e37f188d411190d55eabd309f39a2025-08-20T03:13:41ZengMDPI AGBiology2079-77372025-06-0114774610.3390/biology14070746Effect of Androgens on Human FasciaCaterina Fede0Yunfeng Sun1Xiaoxiao Zhao2Andrea Angelini3Pietro Ruggieri4Carla Stecco5Institute of Human Anatomy, Department of Neurosciences, University of Padova, via Gabelli 65, 35121 Padova, ItalyInstitute of Human Anatomy, Department of Neurosciences, University of Padova, via Gabelli 65, 35121 Padova, ItalyInstitute of Human Anatomy, Department of Neurosciences, University of Padova, via Gabelli 65, 35121 Padova, ItalyDepartment of Orthopedics and Orthopedic Oncology, University of Padova, via Giustiniani 2, 35128 Padova, ItalyDepartment of Orthopedics and Orthopedic Oncology, University of Padova, via Giustiniani 2, 35128 Padova, ItalyInstitute of Human Anatomy, Department of Neurosciences, University of Padova, via Gabelli 65, 35121 Padova, ItalyAndrogens are emerging as important regulators of connective tissue remodeling, but current knowledge about their role in human fascia is still limited. This study examined the expression of the androgen receptor (AR) in human deep fascia and investigated the effects of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) on collagen production by fascial fibroblasts. Fascia lata and thoracolumbar fascia samples were collected from four adult donors (two male and two female). AR expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry and immunocytochemistry. Fascial fibroblasts were treated in vitro for 24 h with DHT at concentrations reflecting physiological levels: 0.4 ng/mL (female), 4 ng/mL (male average), and 10 ng/mL (high male dose). Collagen content was quantified using Picrosirius Red staining, and collagen I and III were evaluated using immunocytochemistry and image analysis, and were compared to an untreated control group. AR was detected in all samples. Low-dose DHT (0.4 ng/mL) significantly increased collagen I (4.80 ± 1.75%) and decreased collagen III (3.32 ± 0.46%) compared to controls (2.09 ± 0.91% and 10.46 ± 0.53%, respectively; <i>p</i> < 0.05). Higher DHT doses induced smaller or no significant changes in collagen subtype expression (e.g., 10 ng/mL: 2.03 ± 0.81% for collagen I, 8.49 ± 1.85% for collagen III). The results demonstrated that human fascia is hormonally responsive via AR, with DHT modulating matrix composition in a dose-dependent manner. The distinct effects at male and female levels may help explain gender differences in fascial stiffness and pain.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/14/7/746androgen receptortestosteronedihydrotestosteronesex hormonesfasciaextracellular matrix |
| spellingShingle | Caterina Fede Yunfeng Sun Xiaoxiao Zhao Andrea Angelini Pietro Ruggieri Carla Stecco Effect of Androgens on Human Fascia Biology androgen receptor testosterone dihydrotestosterone sex hormones fascia extracellular matrix |
| title | Effect of Androgens on Human Fascia |
| title_full | Effect of Androgens on Human Fascia |
| title_fullStr | Effect of Androgens on Human Fascia |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effect of Androgens on Human Fascia |
| title_short | Effect of Androgens on Human Fascia |
| title_sort | effect of androgens on human fascia |
| topic | androgen receptor testosterone dihydrotestosterone sex hormones fascia extracellular matrix |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/14/7/746 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT caterinafede effectofandrogensonhumanfascia AT yunfengsun effectofandrogensonhumanfascia AT xiaoxiaozhao effectofandrogensonhumanfascia AT andreaangelini effectofandrogensonhumanfascia AT pietroruggieri effectofandrogensonhumanfascia AT carlastecco effectofandrogensonhumanfascia |