(Copyright) Vladimir Wrangel – Fotolia.com

Munich (netdoktor.de) – testosterone not gives men only a build muskulöseren compared to women, a deeper voice and stronger body hair of the male sex hormone is also responsible that the strong sex less frequently suffering inflammatory and allergic diseases than women. By a recent study of the Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena. The journal reported “FASEB Journal” in its current release (DOI: 10.1096/fj.11-182758).

That prostate cancer occur exclusively in women only in men and ovarian cancer, is in the nature of things. But also not gender-specific diseases often make man and woman in the same frequency. “Diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, or asthma women suffer majority”, knows about Prof. Dr. Oliver WERZ of the University of Jena. It was yet unclear why this is.

Different Active immune cells

The pharmacist and his team have now shown that sex hormones here have their fingers in the game. “In a series of tests, we could show that the cells that are responsible for the development of inflammation, react very differently in men and women”, explains Dr. Carlo Pergola, one of the student staff. So, certain immune cells of women produced almost twice as many pro-inflammatory substances such as those of men.

Together with colleagues from Tübingen, Stockholm, and Naples, the Jena researchers have gone this gender difference on the ground. First isolated scientists immune cells of male and female volunteers. In a test tube, then among other things, the activity was tested by cell enzymes, which are responsible for the production of pro-inflammatory substances. The result: The enzyme phospholipase D is significantly less active than in the female in male cells. “Interestingly enough the enzyme activity under the influence of testosterone – also in the female immune cells decreases” so Pergola.

Tailored therapy for her and him

From this observation, researchers conclude that a key role in the modulation of the immune response has to play the male sex hormone. This knowledge should be considered when assessing new therapies and drugs for inflammatory diseases, Prof. WERZ is recommended. “Still, it is generally the case that new therapies exclusively in male subjects are tested.” As demonstrated by the recent study, the results of the tests but not directly on women are transferable – on the contrary. Therefore each “tailor-made” treatment for men and women would be important. (mf)