Androgens: New effects on proteoglycan biosynthesis and its consequences for atherosclerosis

The pro- and antiatherogenic role of sex hormones is very controversial. These hormones have metabolic actions, but may also display actions directly on cells of the vasculature involved in atherosclerosis. We recently examined the effect of the male sex hormones, the androgens, on proteoglycan biosynthesis and LDL binding and found that androgens have a growth factor-like effect to increase the size of proteoglycans and enhance LDL binding. These studies demonstrate, at least in this in vitro model, that androgens can be proatherogenic.