Cortes YI, Barinas-Mitchell E, Egnot NS, et al. - Researchers conducted a cross-sectional survey of women to investigate estrone (E1), estradiol (E2), testosterone (T), sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), and free T (FT) in relation to carotid plaque. They included 304 women aged 40-60 years. By applying liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry, they measured E1, E2, and T; FT was computed by applying ensemble allostery models. For socio-demographic characteristics and cardiovascular disease risk factors, regression models were used. They identified carotid plaque burden and characteristics applying semi-automated software. An association was found between SHBG and total plaque area (TPA), whereas higher FT were correlated with greater TPA. In addition, characteristic of more stable plaque, higher E1 was related to echogenicity.