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Sex Differences Define the Vulnerability to Atherosclerosis

Anastasia V Poznyak1, Vasiliy N Sukhorukov2, Shuzhen Guo3

  • 1Institute for Atherosclerosis Research, Moscow, Russia.

Clinical Medicine Insights. Cardiology
|August 2, 2023
PubMed

Insights

This review highlights sex differences in atherosclerosis, revealing that females exhibit protective effects against cardiovascular disease progression and complications. Further research is needed to fully understand these sex-based mechanisms.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Research
  • Pathophysiology
  • Sex Differences in Medicine

Background:

  • Atherosclerosis remains a leading cause of cardiovascular disease, yet its underlying mechanisms and risk factors are not fully elucidated.
  • Despite known pathogenic players, the intricate details of their implementation and interactions in atherosclerosis are still under investigation.
  • Understanding how risk factors contribute to atherosclerosis pathogenesis requires further exploration.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To consolidate current knowledge on the role of sex as a biological variable in human and animal atherosclerosis.
  • To identify existing gaps in understanding how biological sex influences atherosclerosis development and its complications.
  • To examine sex-based disparities in inflammation, vascular remodeling, and plaque morphology within atherosclerosis.

Main Methods:

  • Comprehensive literature review of recent studies on sex differences in atherosclerosis.
  • Analysis of data from both human and animal models.
  • Synthesis of findings related to inflammation, vascular remodeling, and plaque characteristics.

Main Results:

  • Significant sex differences exist in the inflammatory processes involved in atherosclerosis.
  • Vascular remodeling patterns in atherosclerosis vary between sexes.
  • Plaque morphology demonstrates distinct characteristics influenced by biological sex.
  • The female sex appears to possess atheroprotective qualities.

Conclusions:

  • Biological sex plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis and progression of atherosclerosis.
  • Female sex demonstrates a protective effect against atherosclerosis development and complications.
  • Further investigation into sex-specific mechanisms is warranted to refine therapeutic strategies for cardiovascular disease.

Keywords:
Sex differencesatherosclerosiscardiovascular diseasesex differences

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