Testosterone inhibits prostacyclin production by rat aortic smooth muscle cells in culture.

The effects of testosterone on cell proliferation and prostacyclin production were investigated using rat aortic smooth muscle cells in culture. Testosterone at 10(-10)-10(-6) M did not have any significant effect on cell proliferation, but it significantly inhibited prostacyclin production by the cells. Maximal inhibition of prostacyclin production (70%) was observed when cells were treated with a physiological concentration of 19(-8) M testosterone for 5 consecutive days. These results suggest that testosterone may stimulate thrombus formation and accelerate atherosclerosis by suppressing prostacyclin production in arterial smooth muscle cells.