AimTo explore whether testosterone plays a role in regulation of lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor 1(LOX-1) in atherosclerotic male rabbits.MethodsThe model of castrated and atherosclerotic male rabbits was prepared.Pathological sections of thoracic aorta were performed hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining.Total plasma testosterone was measured using ADVIA Centaur Immunoassay (Bayer, Germany) with chemical luminescent method.Serum oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) was assayed using ELISA kit.The expression of LOX-1 of thoracic aorta was measured by methods of RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry.ResultsSerum testosterone significantly decreased in castrated rabbits, whereas testosterone replacement restored the circulating testosterone to normal levels.Intimal thickness and ratio of intima and media obviously increased in castrated rabbits compared with sham-operation rabbits.The serum ox-LDL wasn’t significantly different between each animal.The expression of LOX-1 of thoracic aorta in mRNA and protein was significantly increased in castrated rabbits compared with those in sham-operation rabbits, and decreased in the castrated rabbits following testosterone replacement.ConclusionsTestosterone has no effect on serum ox-LDL in atherosclerotic rabbits, but plays key roles in the mRNA and protein expression of LOX-1 of thoracic aorta.Testosterone possibly regulates the development of athesclerosis via mediating LOX-1 but not ox-LDL.