ArticlePloS one2020
Effects of castration on atherosclerosis in Yucatan minipigs with genetic hypercholesterolemia.
Article in PloS one, 2020. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Who cites it
4 citing papers in PubMed, 5 citations in OpenAlex.
- Chronic kidney disease induces a distinct lipidomic signature and accelerates atherosclerosis progression in a novel minipig model.Laboratory animal research · 2026Article
- The Role of Testosterone in Atherosclerosis: View From Cell Cultures and Animal Models.Journal of cardiovascular translational research · 2026Review
- Induced Human-like Coronary Stenosis in Hypercholesterolemic PCSK9 Minipigs.Journal of cardiovascular translational research · 2025Article
- Testosterone deficiency accelerates early stage atherosclerosis in miniature pigs fed a high-fat and high-cholesterol diet: urineMolecular and cellular biochemistry · 2021Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
6 authors at 2 institutions in 2 countries.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundLow plasma testosterone, either spontaneous or as a result of androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer, is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events. The underlying mechanism in humans is not understood. Experimental studies in mice have shown that castration facilitates atherogenesis and may increase signs of plaque vulnerability. Pigs used for translational atherosclerosis research have frequently been castrated for practical or commercial reasons, but the effect of castration on atherosclerosis has never been systematically evaluated in pigs.
objectiveTo study the effect of castration on atherosclerotic plaque burden and type in genetically modified minipigs with hypercholesterolemia.
methodsNewborn male Yucatan minipigs with transgenic overexpression of a human gain-of-function mutant of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 were randomized to undergo orchiectomy (n = 8) or serve as controls (n = 6). Minipigs were started on high-fat diet at 3 months of age and the amount and composition of atherosclerotic lesions were analyzed at 12 months of age. Plasma lipid profiles and behavioral parameters were also assessed.
resultsPlasma lipids were slightly affected to a more atherogenic profile by orchiectomy, but atherosclerotic lesion size was unaltered in the LAD, thoracic aorta, abdominal aorta, and iliac arteries. The distribution of lesion types (xanthomas, pathological intimal thickening and fibroatheromas) were also not statistically different between groups in any of the examined vascular territories. The abdominal aorta developed the most advanced stages of disease with reproducible fibroatheroma formation, and here it was found that the area of necrotic core was significantly increased in orchiectomized pigs compared with controls. Orchiectomy also reduced aggressive behavior.
conclusionsCastration does not alter the burden of atherosclerosis in hypercholesterolemic Yucatan minipigs, but may increase necrotic core area in fibroatheromas.
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