Estrogens, progestins, and coronary heart disease in cynomolgus monkeys.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effects of estrogen deprivation and estrogen replacement on coronary artery atherosclerosis.


METHODS
Randomized trials using female cynomolgus monkeys as subjects.


METHODS
Comparative Medicine Clinical Research Center of an academic medical center.


METHODS
Premenopausal and postmenopausal female cynomolgus monkeys fed diets comparable in fat and cholesterol to those consumed by human beings.


METHODS
Menopause was induced by ovariectomy; coronary vasomotion was evaluated during coronary angiography. Treatments involved estrogens and progestins, and coronary artery atherosclerosis was evaluated at necropsy.


METHODS
Coronary artery atherosclerosis extent.


RESULTS
Premenopausal stress induces ovarian dysfunction and exacerbates coronary artery atherosclerosis. Physiologic replacement of ovarian hormones reduces in half the extent of coronary atherosclerosis of surgically menopausal monkeys. Hormone replacement therapy did not enhance regression of established coronary atherosclerosis.


CONCLUSIONS
Estrogen deprivation exacerbates and estrogen diminishes coronary artery atherosclerosis of female cynomolgus monkeys fed atherogenic diets.
Comparative Medicine Clinical Research Center, Bowman Gray School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27157-1040.
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Clarkson
D000818:Animals; D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary / Q000009:adverse effects; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000009:adverse effects; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D004967:Estrogens / Q000172:deficiency / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D008252:Macaca fascicularis; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000502:physiology; D017697:Premenopause / Q000502:physiology; D011372:Progestins / Q000494:pharmacology*
D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary; D004041:Dietary Fats; D004967:Estrogens; D011372:Progestins