The effect of transgender hormonal treatment on high density lipoprotein cholesterol efflux capacity

A decrease in HDL-cholesterol concentrations during transgender hormone therapy has been shown. However, the ability of HDL to remove cholesterol from arterial wall macrophages, termed cholesterol efflux capacity (CEC), has proven to be a better predictor of cardiovascular disease (CVD) largely independently of HDL-concentrations. In addition, the serum capacity to load macrophages with cholesterol (cholesterol loading capacity, CLC) represents an index of pro-atherogenic potential. As transgender individuals are exposed to lifelong exogenous hormone therapy, it becomes of interest to study whether HDL-CEC and serum CLC are affected by HT.
Source: Atherosclerosis - Category: Cardiology Authors: Source Type: research