A possible mechanism in arterial wall for mediation of sex difference in atherosclerosis

Female rabbits on an atherogenic diet were treated with cottonseed oil (control), tamoxifen, testosterone, or progesterone. After 10 weeks the rabbits were killed, the aortas quickly removed, graded for atherosclerosis, and incubated with [ 14C]proline to determine collagen and elastin synthesis. Rabbits treated with testosterone and progesterone had the greatest degree of atherosclerosis, the highest DPM in hydroxyproline of collagen and elastin, and the greatest accumulation of collagen and elastin in the aorta. Tamoxifen-treated rabbits had less incorporation of radioactivity. In separate experiments aortas of similarly treated rabbits were analyzed for estradiol and progesterone receptor density. These receptors were found to be present, and progesterone and testosterone administration caused a translocation of progesterone receptors from cytosol to nucleus. Results are consistent with the hypothesis that sex hormones can affect the development of atherosclerosis through a direct effect of the hormones on arterial wall to alter collagen and elastin synthesis, the effect being mediated through hormone receptors in the wall.