Effect of Dehydroepiandrosterone on Atherosclerosis in Apolipoprotein E-Deficient Mice

目的：一些临床试验表明，脱氢表雄酮（DHEA）减少与动脉粥样硬化相关的冠状动脉事件。本研究旨在探讨脱氢表雄酮对动脉粥样硬化的抑制作用及其机制。研究方法：载脂蛋白E基因敲除（apoE-KO）小鼠喂饲高胆固醇饲料（含或不含0.4%（w/w）DHEA）12周。与未处理的小鼠相比，DHEA处理的主动脉窦中的动脉粥样硬化病变显示面积减少45%。DHEA组主动脉病变中巨噬细胞的积聚也明显减少。此外。DHEA抑制血管壁单核细胞趋化蛋白-1的表达。因此，抑制巨噬细胞浸润DHEA减少了apoE-KO mice.Conclusions的形成动脉粥样硬化病变：DHEA可能是一种有效的药物动脉粥样硬化的临床管理，但一个更大的对照试验是必要的确认。

Aim : Several clinical trials have indicated that dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) reduces coronary events associated with atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to examine the inhibitory effect of DHEA on atherosclerosis and the mechanisms involved. Methods : Apolipoprotein E-knockout (apoE-KO) mice were fed an atherogenic high-cholesterol diet with or without 0.4% (w/w) DHEA for 12 weeks.Results : Although the plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels were not decreased by DHEA. atherosclerotic lesions in the aortic sinus showed a 45% reduction in area with DHEA treatment versus untreated mice. Accumulation of macrophages in aortic lesions was also markedly reduced in the DHEA group. Furthermore. DHEA suppressed the expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in the vessel wall. Thus, inhibition of macrophage infiltration by DHEA reduced the formation of atherosclerotic lesions in apoE-KO mice.Conclusions : DHEA might be an effective agent for clinical management of atherosclerosis, but a larger controlled trial is necessary for confirmation.