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Sex differences in age- and atherosclerosis-related changes of human coronary arteries
Insights
Male coronary arteries show earlier and more severe atherosclerotic changes than females. This includes more extensive internal elastic membrane damage and thicker intimal layers from infancy through young adulthood.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Science
- Pathology
- Pediatric Cardiology
Background:
- Atherosclerosis is a leading cause of cardiovascular disease.
- Understanding early-life risk factors is crucial for prevention.
- Sex-based differences in cardiovascular health are increasingly recognized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate sex-based differences in the development of coronary artery atherosclerosis.
- To analyze the progression of atherosclerotic lesions in young males and females.
Main Methods:
- Histopathological examination of coronary arteries from 536 subjects aged 0-40 years.
- Comparative analysis of internal elastic membrane changes, intimal thickness, and plaque development between sexes.
Main Results:
- Males exhibited more numerous and extensive internal elastic membrane changes, especially in neonates and children.
- Males presented with a thicker intimal layer across all age groups.
- Earlier development and more widespread coronary atherosclerotic plaques were observed in males.
Conclusions:
- Males demonstrate a significantly earlier and more aggressive development of coronary atherosclerosis compared to females.
- These findings highlight critical sex-based disparities in cardiovascular disease progression from early life.
- Early atherosclerotic changes in males warrant further investigation into preventative strategies.
Abstract:
A study carried out on the coronary arteries of 536 subjects ranging in age from 0 to 40 years demonostrated that males exhibited, as compared to females of similar age: more numerous and extensive severe changes of the internal elastic membrane, particularly in neonates and children; a thicker intimal layer in all age-groups investigated; an earlier development of atherosclerotic plaques and of atheroma-like lesions; a higher number of cases with coronary atherosclerotic plaques; a more precocious and diffuse extension of atherosclerotic plaques in the whole coronary tree.