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Gender differences in response to a hypercholesterolemic diet in hamsters: effects on plasma lipoprotein cholesterol
T A Wilson1, R J Nicolosi, C W Lawton
1Department of Health and Clinical Science, Center for Chronic Disease Control, University of Massachusetts Lowell 01854, USA.
Insights
Female hamsters show reduced coronary heart disease risk factors compared to males. This study highlights key cardiovascular differences, suggesting a protective effect of female hormones in atherosclerosis development.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Science
- Endocrinology
- Lipid Metabolism
Background:
- Gender significantly influences coronary heart disease (CHD) susceptibility, with males typically at higher risk than premenopausal females.
- Understanding these gender-based differences in disease development is crucial for targeted prevention and treatment strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate gender-specific differences in coronary heart disease (CHD) development and related risk factors in a hamster model.
- To compare plasma lipid profiles, LDL oxidation, and aortic atherosclerosis between male and female hamsters fed a hypercholesterolemic diet.
Main Methods:
- 16 male and 16 female Golden Syrian hamsters were fed a hypercholesterolemic diet for 12 weeks.
- Analyses included plasma lipids, LDL oxidation susceptibility, LDL composition, LDL particle size, sex hormone concentrations, and aortic atherosclerosis.
- Statistical analyses were performed to correlate various parameters with atherosclerosis development.
Main Results:
- Female hamsters exhibited significantly lower total cholesterol and non-HDL cholesterol, and higher HDL cholesterol compared to males.
- Females displayed larger LDL particle size, altered LDL fatty acid composition, and increased LDL oxidation rates.
- Female hamsters showed significantly less early aortic atherosclerosis (-77%) compared to males, with specific correlations observed between atherosclerosis and lipid profiles, LDL size, and oxidation in both genders.
Conclusions:
- Female hamsters demonstrate a more favorable lipoprotein profile and reduced atherosclerosis development when fed a hypercholesterolemic diet.
- Hormonal differences, particularly higher estradiol levels in females, may contribute to the observed cardioprotective effects.
- This model provides insights into gender-based disparities in cardiovascular disease, relevant to human health.
Abstract:
Gender is a strong predictor of coronary heart disease (CHD) susceptibility and reports indicate that males are more likely to develop CHD compared to age-matched premenopausal females. To test whether similar gender differences exist in hamsters, 16 male and 16 female F1B Golden Syrian hamsters, aged 10 weeks, were fed a hypercholesterolemic nonpurified diet (HCD) containing 10% coconut oil and 0.05% cholesterol for 12 weeks. Plasma lipid and lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations, LDL oxidative susceptibility, LDL tocopherol concentrations, LDL fatty acid composition, LDL particle size, plasma estradiol and testosterone concentrations, and early aortic atherosclerosis were analyzed. Female hamsters had significantly lower plasma total cholesterol and nonhigh-density lipoprotein cholesterol (nonHDL-C) and greater high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) concentrations compared to male hamsters (-15, -33, and 33%; respectively). Female hamsters had significantly greater LDL particle size (4%), LDL 22:6 (21%) fatty acid, and rate of LDL oxidation (34%) compared to male hamsters. Female hamsters had a significantly higher concentration of plasma estradiol (49%) compared to male hamsters. Female hamsters also had significantly less early aortic atherosclerosis compared to male hamsters (-77%). In female hamsters, aortic fatty streak formation was significantly associated with plasma nonHDL-C (r = 0.76, P<0.0007), LDL particle size (r = -0.66, P<0.005), plasma TC (r = 0.68. P<0.004), and lag phase of LDL oxidation (r = 0.84. P<0.02). In male hamsters, aortic fatty streak formation was significantly associated with plasma nonHDL-C (r = 0.52, P<0.04), plasma TC (r = 0.55, P<0.03), plasma TG (r = 0.79, P<0.0003), and LDL 22:6 (r = -0.78, P<0.03) with no association with any measures of LDL oxidation susceptibility. This study demonstrates that female hamsters have an improved plasma lipoprotein cholesterol profile, larger LDL particle size, and less early aortic atherosclerosis compared to male hamsters fed the same HCD.
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