LDL oxidation by androgen exposure using MRC-5 cell line as a model

The relationship between LDL oxidation and atherogenesis has not been fully investigated. The objectives of this study were to investigate the effect of androgens (testosterone) on the intactness of LDL upon incubation with MRC-5 cells and to evaluate the morphological changes associated with the incubation of androgens with MRC-5 cells. A total of 72 tubes plated with MRC-5 fibroblasts (50,000) were divided into four equal groups. Each of these groups were treated with one of the following: serum only (control), low-dose LDL, high-dose LDL, and LDL + testosterone. The experiment was divided into 24, 48, and 72-hour periods. At the end of the incubation periods, representative samples from each group were used for the determination of LDL oxidation. This was accomplished through lipoprotein electrophoresis. Results of the lipoprotein electrophoresis indicate that LDL was modified during the incubation periods with low-dose LDL, high-dose LDL, and LDL + testosterone. This was evident by the variations in electrophoretic mobility displayed by the treatment groups. Morphological evaluations were performed using light microscopy. MRC-5 cells treated with LDL + testosterone resulted in significant cellular damage. Results from this study suggest that MRC-5 cells are capable of modifying the native form of LDL. However, further investigation is needed to determine the exact mechanism of LDL modification and the role of MRC-5 cells in its modification.