The effects of steroid hormones on atherosclerosis risk

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 16K20201
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Obstetrics and gynecology
• Research Institution: Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Ito Fumitake 京都府立医科大学, 医学(系)研究科(研究院), 助教 (60756849)
• Project Period (FY): 2016-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: ホルモン補充療法 / 動脈硬化 / 接着因子 / プロゲストーゲン / ドロスピレノン

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, the effects of the alternative progestogen drospirenone (DRSP) on monocyte adhesion in human umbilical venous endothelial cells (HUVECs) were examined. In HUVECs treated with estrogens and progestogens, including DRSP and medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), the expression of the adhesion molecules were examined. A flow chamber system was used to investigate the effects of DRSP on monocytoid cell adherence to HUVEC monolayers. Upregulation of adhesion molecule mRNA or protein was not seen in HUVECs treated with DRSP alone or with 17β-estradiol + DRSP. DRSP alone, 17β-estradiol + DRSP or ethinylestradiol + DRSP did not increase the number of adherent monocytoid cells to HUVECs in the flow chamber system. These results suggest that DRSP may be an alternative to MPA in hormone replacement therapy.

Free Research Field

女性ヘルスケア