Finasteride Delays Atherosclerosis Progression in Mice and Is Associated With a Reduction in Plasma Cholesterol in Men

January 2024 in “ Journal of lipid research ”

Patrick McQueen, Donald Molina, Ivan Pinos, Samuel A. Krug, Anna J. Taylor, Michael R. La Frano, Maureen A. Kane, Jaume Amengual

finasteride male-pattern baldness plasma cholesterol LDL-cholesterol monocytosis monocyte recruitment macrophage lesion content necrotic core area RNA sequencing inflammatory pathways bile acid metabolism oxidative phosphorylation cholesterol pathways Propecia

TLDR Finasteride may lower cholesterol and slow heart disease progression.

The study investigates the effects of finasteride on atherosclerosis progression in mice and its impact on plasma cholesterol levels in men. In mice, finasteride delayed atherosclerosis progression by reducing monocytosis, monocyte recruitment, macrophage lesion content, and necrotic core area, and altered hepatic gene expression to downregulate inflammatory pathways and upregulate bile acid metabolism. In men, analysis of NHANES data showed that finasteride users had lower plasma cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels. These findings suggest that finasteride may improve plasma lipid profiles and potentially delay cardiovascular disease in humans.

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