title: Testosterone inhibits prostacyclin production by rat aortic smooth muscle cells in culture.
abstract: The effects of testosterone on cell proliferation and prostacyclin production were investigated using rat aortic smooth muscle cells in culture. Testosterone at 10(-10)-10(-6) M did not have any significant effect on cell proliferation, but it significantly inhibited prostacyclin production by the cells. Maximal inhibition of prostacyclin production (70%) was observed when cells were treated with a physiological concentration of 19(-8) M testosterone for 5 consecutive days. These results suggest that testosterone may stimulate thrombus formation and accelerate atherosclerosis by suppressing prostacyclin production in arterial smooth muscle cells.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000166:cytology*; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D011464:Epoprostenol / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008297:Male; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000166:cytology*; D011453:Prostaglandins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D051381:Rats; D013739:Testosterone / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D011453:Prostaglandins; D013739:Testosterone; D011464:Epoprostenol