Testosterone is a hormone present in men that regulates characteristics like built, body hair, and deeper voice. But are they lucky for possessing this hormone? According to a study conducted by pharmacists at the Friedrich Schiller University Jena in Germany, men are presumably less vulnerable to inflammatory conditions and infections than women owing to the presence of testosterone.
The investigators separated certain immune cells of male and female donors. They examined the activity of enzymes that play a role in the manufacture of pro-inflammatory materials. It was disclosed that male cells comprised the enzyme phospholipase D that was less active than the female counterparts. Strikingly, the activeness of the enzyme apparently decreases after treating the female immune cells with testosterone. The outcome showed that specific immune cells of women appeared to create almost double the amount of pro-inflammatory substances present in men. This has been known by many but the causes have not been highlighted until now.
“It is mostly women who are affected by diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis or asthma”, commented Professor Dr. Oliver Werz from the Jena University
Sexual hormones stand out as the sole contributor for these differences. Thereby, the analysts concluded that sexual hormones are seemingly major influencers of immune responses. This brings them close to another inference that testosterone appears to shield men from arteriosclerosis. The pharmacists are of the opinion that women should be exposed to a customizable medication procedure. These findings should be referred, while assessing new therapies and drugs for inflammation. Also the male outcomes cannot be directly implicated in women. Customization of therapies for men and women holds the key.
The study is published in the current edition of the scientific journal ‘FASEB Journal’.