Sharp, D: Androgens Induce Gender-

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the major cause of morbidity and mortality in developed countries. Men have a higher incidence and an earlier onset of CVD than age-matched women. It has been shown that young women have lower CVD incidence than young men and the increasein CVD rates in older (post-menopausal) women whenestrogen levels decline suggests that estrogens are cardioprotective. This theory has been extensively investigated demonstrating a favourable reduction in LDL, reducing expression of cell adhesion molecules and promoting vasodilatation by inducing nitric oxide (NO) production in endothelial cells. However, not many studies have explored the alternate theory that male sex hormones, androgens (T & DHT), may promote CVD. Investigators examining male androgens in vivo have shown inconsistent results, with both adverse and protective effects on atherosclerosis formation. Overall, this study demonstrated that male sex hormones have an effect on atherosclerosis formation. Androgens have important gender- and dose- specific effects on plaque formation, and can hormonally regulate AR cofactors at the mRNA and protein level.