Sex differences in features of atherosclerotic plaques as revealed by various imaging techniques: historical review
Numerous studies over several decades found that there are significant sex differences in the development and severity of atherosclerosis, which include plaque burden, composition and vulnerability to rupture. This review provides historical analysis of these studies starting with early histological...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Physiology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2025.1579885/full |
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| author | Dalya Laban Alice Kattan Lamia Ait-Abdellah Hema Krishna Hema Krishna Elizabeth Le Master Irena Levitan |
| author_facet | Dalya Laban Alice Kattan Lamia Ait-Abdellah Hema Krishna Hema Krishna Elizabeth Le Master Irena Levitan |
| author_sort | Dalya Laban |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Numerous studies over several decades found that there are significant sex differences in the development and severity of atherosclerosis, which include plaque burden, composition and vulnerability to rupture. This review provides historical analysis of these studies starting with early histological analysis of post mortem samples to modern high-resolution imaging techniques. It is discussed that the abundance of evidence obtained by an array of approaches demonstrates that men are more prone to develop atherosclerosis, which manifests itself in earlier initiation of the plaques, while the occurrence of plaque is accelerated following menopause. These findings unequivocally show that men are more likely to develop plaques with larger lipid-rich necrotic cores, thinner fibrous caps, and stronger inflammatory responses, resulting in increased vulnerability at a younger age. However, the rapid escalation of plaque instability in postmenopausal women, which is caused by a significant reduction in smooth muscle cell density and changes in calcification patterns, results in comparable atherosclerotic burden in men and women in older adults. These findings highlight how differences in sex and age, influence the development and severity of atherosclerosis. Understanding these differences is essential for creating better ways to assess and treat heart disease in men and women. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-3f27ee5cca1b43afa9da4cdb6f9b8dc6 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1664-042X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Physiology |
| spelling | doaj-art-3f27ee5cca1b43afa9da4cdb6f9b8dc62025-08-20T02:29:35ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Physiology1664-042X2025-05-011610.3389/fphys.2025.15798851579885Sex differences in features of atherosclerotic plaques as revealed by various imaging techniques: historical reviewDalya Laban0Alice Kattan1Lamia Ait-Abdellah2Hema Krishna3Hema Krishna4Elizabeth Le Master5Irena Levitan6Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United StatesDivision of Pulmonary and Critical Care, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United StatesDivision of Pulmonary and Critical Care, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United StatesDivision of Cardiology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United StatesJesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL, United StatesDivision of Pulmonary and Critical Care, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United StatesDivision of Pulmonary and Critical Care, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United StatesNumerous studies over several decades found that there are significant sex differences in the development and severity of atherosclerosis, which include plaque burden, composition and vulnerability to rupture. This review provides historical analysis of these studies starting with early histological analysis of post mortem samples to modern high-resolution imaging techniques. It is discussed that the abundance of evidence obtained by an array of approaches demonstrates that men are more prone to develop atherosclerosis, which manifests itself in earlier initiation of the plaques, while the occurrence of plaque is accelerated following menopause. These findings unequivocally show that men are more likely to develop plaques with larger lipid-rich necrotic cores, thinner fibrous caps, and stronger inflammatory responses, resulting in increased vulnerability at a younger age. However, the rapid escalation of plaque instability in postmenopausal women, which is caused by a significant reduction in smooth muscle cell density and changes in calcification patterns, results in comparable atherosclerotic burden in men and women in older adults. These findings highlight how differences in sex and age, influence the development and severity of atherosclerosis. Understanding these differences is essential for creating better ways to assess and treat heart disease in men and women.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2025.1579885/fullcardiovascular diseasevascular biologyplaque stabilityfibrous cap thinningsex differences |
| spellingShingle | Dalya Laban Alice Kattan Lamia Ait-Abdellah Hema Krishna Hema Krishna Elizabeth Le Master Irena Levitan Sex differences in features of atherosclerotic plaques as revealed by various imaging techniques: historical review Frontiers in Physiology cardiovascular disease vascular biology plaque stability fibrous cap thinning sex differences |
| title | Sex differences in features of atherosclerotic plaques as revealed by various imaging techniques: historical review |
| title_full | Sex differences in features of atherosclerotic plaques as revealed by various imaging techniques: historical review |
| title_fullStr | Sex differences in features of atherosclerotic plaques as revealed by various imaging techniques: historical review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Sex differences in features of atherosclerotic plaques as revealed by various imaging techniques: historical review |
| title_short | Sex differences in features of atherosclerotic plaques as revealed by various imaging techniques: historical review |
| title_sort | sex differences in features of atherosclerotic plaques as revealed by various imaging techniques historical review |
| topic | cardiovascular disease vascular biology plaque stability fibrous cap thinning sex differences |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2025.1579885/full |
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