Effects of cholesterol and simvastatin on testosterone and estradiol in atherosclerotic rabbits induced by high cholesterol dietary

Objective To investigate the effects of cholesterol and simvastatin on serum testosterone (TESTO) and estradiol (E 2) in atherosclerosis rabbits induced by high cholesterol dietary. Methods A total of 42 rabbits were equally randomized into 3 groups, normal control, atherosclerosis group induced by high cholesterol food, and simvastatin group fed by cholesterol-enriched diet with simvastatin (Zocor) addition. The levels of serum total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG) and TESTO and E 2 were estimated at the baseline, the end of 8 and 12 weeks after treatment. The extent of aortic atherosclerosis was measured with planimetry for the sudanophilic area. Results At the end of 8 and 12 weeks treatment, serum levels of TC, TG and aortic atherosclerosis areas in rabbits with high cholesterol food were increased compared with normal control group, while the levels of TC, TG and aortic atherosclerosis areas in simvastatin groups were less than that in atherosclerosis group ( P 0.01). Both simvastatin group and atherosclerosis group have no change in testosterone and estradiol during the experiment. Conclusion Neither simvastatin nor cholesterol-enriched diet has no effect on serum testosterone and estradiol in atherosclerotic rabbits induced by high cholesterol dietary.