Sex Differences Journal Publishes Inflammatory Response Research

Newswise — Washington, DC (July 12, 2011) - Biology of Sex Differences (BSD) recently published riveting research on sex differences of certain brain cells and their response to inflammation in the article, “Sex Differences in the Inflammatory Response of Primary Astrocytes to Lipopolysaccharide” by Maria Santos-Galindo, Estefania Acaz-Fonseca, Maria J Bellini and Luis M Garcia-Segura on Tuesday, July 12.

Sex differences in incidence, age of onset, symptoms or outcome are evident in many neurological and psychiatric disorders. Astrocytes, one of the glial cell types of the brain, show sex differences in number of cells, function, and differentiation. Glial cells are involved with physical support for neurons, while others regulate the internal environment of the brain, and provide nutrients to neurons of the brain.

The article examines whether male and female astrocytes, in culture, show a different response to lipopolysaccharide medium, and how or whether perinatal testosterone influences this response.

“This is an important study in mice that provides evidence for statistically significant sex-differences in the response of the brain to an inflammatory challenge” said Christine Carter, PhD, MPH, Vice President for Scientific Affairs at the Society for Women’s Health Research (SWHR). “In addition, this work adds to our understanding of the role of testosterone in the generation of sex differences in brain pathology.”

The article is available now on http://www.bsd-journal.com/content/2/1/7/abstract.

Biology of Sex Differences (BSD), the official journal of the Organization for the Study of Sex Differences (OSSD), is an open access, peer-reviewed, online journal launched by BioMed Central. BSD considers manuscripts on all aspects of the effects of sex on biology and disease. BSD is available worldwide at no cost at www.bsd-journal.com.

To submit an article, please use the online submission system at www.bsd-journal.com/manuscript.

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For more information on the Society for Women’s Health Research please contact Rachel Griffith at 202-496-5001 or [email protected].

The Society for Women’s Health Research (SWHR), a national non-profit organization based in Washington D.C., is widely recognized as the thought leader in women’s health research, particularly how sex differences impact health. SWHR’s mission is to improve the health of all women through advocacy, education and research. Visit SWHR’s website at swhr.org for more information.