Effects of estrogens on macrophage foam cells: a potential target for the protective effects of estrogens on atherosclerosis.
Estrogens have been shown to reduce markedly the development of atherosclerosis in humans and in several animal models. More than 50% of this effect appears to be caused by a direct action on the arterial wall. Although estrogens can affect a variety of functions of endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells, data published over the past few years suggest that macrophage foam cells may also be an important site of estrogen action. This review summarizes the recent data on the effects of estrogens on macrophage foam cell function. The data suggest that estrogens act in several ways to reduce the accumulation of cholesteryl esters in macrophages.
St Clair
R W
RW
Department of Pathology, Bowman Gray School of Medicine of Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA.
D000818:Animals; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002788:Cholesterol Esters / Q000378:metabolism; D004967:Estrogens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005487:Foam Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects
D002788:Cholesterol Esters; D004967:Estrogens