Explaining sex difference in coronary heart disease: is it time to shift from the oestrogen hypothesis to the iron hypothesis?
We suggest that lower body iron stores, and not the loss of ovarian function, explain the differences between men and women, and between fertile and menopausal women in the development of coronary heart disease.
Comando Brigata Alpina Julia, Medical Service, Udine, Italy. lumasci@libero.it
Luca
L
Mascitelli
Mark R
MR
Goldstein
Francesca
F
Pezzetta
D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism; D004967:Estrogens / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019266:Iron, Dietary / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000378:metabolism; D016649:Primary Ovarian Insufficiency / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000378:metabolism; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors
D004967:Estrogens; D019266:Iron, Dietary