Increased synthesis of aortic collagen and elastin in experimental atherosclerosis. Inhibition by contraceptive steroids.
Rabbits were fed an atherogenic or normal control diet for 3 months; half of each group were treated with mestranol--norethynodrel (M--N) and half with cottonseed oil vehicle. At the end of the 3-month period rabbits were killed and aortic collagen and elastin synthesis determine. Collagen and elastin synthesis was increased in aortas of rabbits on an atherogenic diet, but those treated with M--N had a lower rate of collagen synthesis and less deposition of cholesterol in the aorta than those administered cottonseed oil. It is suggested that long-term administration of the contraceptive steroid combination may retard the progression of atherosclerosis through the hormone's effect on vascular connective tissue.
D000818:Animals; D001011:Aorta / Q000378:metabolism; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D003094:Collagen / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004549:Elastin / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D004967:Estrogens / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D008656:Mestranol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009641:Norethynodrel / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011817:Rabbits
D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined; D004967:Estrogens; D009641:Norethynodrel; D003094:Collagen; D004549:Elastin; D002784:Cholesterol; D008656:Mestranol