Effects of estrogens on macrophage foam cells: a potential target for the protective effects of estrogens on

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R W St Clair1

  • 1Department of Pathology, Bowman Gray School of Medicine of Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA.

Current Opinion in Lipidology
|October 23, 1997
PubMed

Insights

Estrogens significantly reduce atherosclerosis by directly impacting arterial walls and macrophage foam cells. This review highlights how estrogens decrease cholesteryl ester accumulation in macrophages, a key factor in preventing this cardiovascular disease.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Science
  • Endocrinology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Atherosclerosis development is markedly reduced by estrogens in humans and animal models.
  • Estrogenic effects on the arterial wall account for over 50% of this protective action.
  • Macrophages, specifically macrophage foam cells, are emerging as a significant site for estrogen action.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent data on the effects of estrogens on macrophage foam cell function.
  • To elucidate the mechanisms by which estrogens influence macrophage lipid accumulation.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies investigating estrogen effects on macrophage foam cells.
  • Analysis of data on cellular functions affected by estrogens.

Main Results:

  • Estrogens exert multiple effects on macrophage foam cell function.
  • Estrogens demonstrably reduce the accumulation of cholesteryl esters within macrophages.
  • These actions contribute to the overall anti-atherosclerotic effects of estrogens.

Conclusions:

  • Macrophage foam cells are a crucial target for the atheroprotective effects of estrogens.
  • Estrogen's ability to reduce lipid accumulation in macrophages is a key mechanism in preventing atherosclerosis.
  • Further research into estrogen's role in macrophage biology is warranted.

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