Sex Differences in Opioid Receptor Mediated Effects: Role of Androgens

This chapter discusses sex differences in intersexual competition and describes particularly the consequences of such competition for conflict between the sexes, as well as for sex differences in mate guarding and, relatedly, in the types of infidelity that evoke jealousy, including online infidelity. It also discusses individual differences in jealousy as related to attachment styles and describes the effects of height, hormones, and the menstrual cycle on jealousy. Next, the chapter moves on to intrasexual competition and discusses, among other topics, intrasexual competition among men and among women, the role of sex differences in rival characteristics in evoking jealousy, the role of attachment styles and hormones, and individual differences in intrasexual competitiveness.

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Sex differences and the role of education in cognitive ageing: analysis of two UK-based prospective cohort studies

The Lancet Public Health ◽

10.1016/s2468-2667(20)30258-9 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

pp. e106-e115

Author(s):

Mikaela Bloomberg ◽

Aline Dugravot ◽

Julien Dumurgier ◽

Mika Kivimaki ◽

Aurore Fayosse ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sex Differences ◽

Cohort Studies ◽

Prospective Cohort ◽

Cognitive Ageing ◽

Prospective Cohort Studies

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Sex differences in the phylum‐level human gut microbiota composition

BMC Microbiology ◽

10.1186/s12866-021-02198-y ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Alexander Koliada ◽

Vladislav Moseiko ◽

Mariana Romanenko ◽

Oleh Lushchak ◽

Nadiia Kryzhanovska ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sex Differences ◽

Gut Microbiota ◽

Age Groups ◽

Microbiota Composition ◽

Human Gut ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Total N ◽

Human Gut Microbiota ◽

Gut Microbiota Composition

Abstract Background Evidence was previously provided for sex-related differences in the human gut microbiota composition, and sex-specific discrepancy in hormonal profiles was proposed as a main determinant of these differences. On the basis of these findings, the assumption was made on the role of microbiota in the sexual dimorphism of human diseases. To date, sex differences in fecal microbiota were demonstrated primarily at lower taxonomic levels, whereas phylum-level differences between sexes were reported in few studies only. In the present population-based cross-sectional research, sex differences in the phylum-level human gut microbiota composition were identified in a large (total n = 2301) sample of relatively healthy individuals from Ukraine. Results Relative abundances of Firmicutes and Actinobacteria, as determined by qRT-PCR, were found to be significantly increased, while that of Bacteroidetes was significantly decreased in females compared to males. The Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes (F/B) ratio was significantly increased in females compared to males. Females had 31 % higher odds of having F/B ratio more than 1 than males. This trend was evident in all age groups. The difference between sexes was even more pronounced in the elder individuals (50+): in this age group, female participants had 56 % higher odds of having F/B ratio > 1 than the male ones. Conclusions In conclusion, sex-specific differences in the phylum-level intestinal microbiota composition were observed in the Ukraine population. The F/B ratio was significantly increased in females compared to males. Further investigation is needed to draw strong conclusions regarding the mechanistic basis for sex-specific differences in the gut microbiota composition and regarding the role of these differences in the initiation and progression of human chronic diseases.

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The Role of Dynorphin and the Kappa Opioid Receptor in Schizophrenia and Major Depressive Disorder: A Translational Approach

10.1007/164_2020_396 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Samuel David Clark

Keyword(s):

Major Depressive Disorder ◽

Depressive Disorder ◽

Healthy Volunteers ◽

Opioid Receptor ◽

Clinical Data ◽

Potential Role ◽

Kappa Opioid Receptor ◽

Kappa Opioid ◽

Major Depressive

AbstractThe kappa opioid receptor (KOR) and its endogenous ligands dynorphins (DYN) have been implicated in the development or symptomatology of a variety of neuropsychiatric disorders. This review covers a brief history of the development of KOR agonists and antagonists, their effects in healthy volunteers, and the potential role of DYN/KOR dysfunction in schizophrenia and major depressive disorder from a translational perspective. The potential role of DYN/KOR dysfunction in schizophrenia is based on several lines of evidence. Selective KOR agonists induce affective states in healthy volunteers with similarities to the symptoms of schizophrenia. Studies have shown increased DYN in patients with schizophrenia, although the data have been mixed. Finally, meta-analytic data have shown that opioid antagonists are associated with reductions in the symptoms of schizophrenia. The potential role of DYN/KOR dysfunction in major depressive disorder is also based on a combination of preclinical and clinical data. Selective KOR agonists have shown pro-depressive effects in human volunteers, while selective KOR antagonists have shown robust efficacy in several preclinical models of antidepressant activity. Small studies have shown that nonselective KOR antagonists may have efficacy in treatment-resistant depression. Additionally, recent clinical data have shown that the KOR may be an effective target for treating anhedonia, a finding relevant to both schizophrenia and depression. Finally, recommendations are provided for translating preclinical models for schizophrenia and major depressive disorder into the clinic.

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Regulatory Role of Sex Hormones in Cardiovascular Calcification

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms22094620 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (9) ◽

pp. 4620

Author(s):

Holly J. Woodward ◽

Dongxing Zhu ◽

Patrick W. F. Hadoke ◽

Victoria E. MacRae

Keyword(s):

Cardiovascular Disease ◽

Sex Differences ◽

Sexual Dimorphism ◽

Aortic Stenosis ◽

Sex Hormones ◽

Sex Hormone ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Male Sex ◽

Primary Male

Sex differences in cardiovascular disease (CVD), including aortic stenosis, atherosclerosis and cardiovascular calcification, are well documented. High levels of testosterone, the primary male sex hormone, are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular calcification, whilst estrogen, the primary female sex hormone, is considered cardioprotective. Current understanding of sexual dimorphism in cardiovascular calcification is still very limited. This review assesses the evidence that the actions of sex hormones influence the development of cardiovascular calcification. We address the current question of whether sex hormones could play a role in the sexual dimorphism seen in cardiovascular calcification, by discussing potential mechanisms of actions of sex hormones and evidence in pre-clinical research. More advanced investigations and understanding of sex hormones in calcification could provide a better translational outcome for those suffering with cardiovascular calcification.

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Sex-Specific Differences in Glioblastoma

Cells ◽

10.3390/cells10071783 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (7) ◽

pp. 1783

Author(s):

Anna Carrano ◽

Juan Jose Juarez ◽

Diego Incontri ◽

Antonio Ibarra ◽

Hugo Guerrero Cazares

Keyword(s):

Sex Differences ◽

Immune System ◽

Molecular Level ◽

Deep Understanding ◽

Protective Role ◽

Men And Women ◽

Individualized Approach ◽

Male Patients ◽

Outcome Differences

Sex differences have been well identified in many brain tumors. Even though glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common primary malignant brain tumor in adults and has the worst outcome, well-established differences between men and women are limited to incidence and outcome. Little is known about sex differences in GBM at the disease phenotype and genetical/molecular level. This review focuses on a deep understanding of the pathophysiology of GBM, including hormones, metabolic pathways, the immune system, and molecular changes, along with differences between men and women and how these dimorphisms affect disease outcome. The information analyzed in this review shows a greater incidence and worse outcome in male patients with GBM compared with female patients. We highlight the protective role of estrogen and the upregulation of androgen receptors and testosterone having detrimental effects on GBM. Moreover, hormones and the immune system work in synergy to directly affect the GBM microenvironment. Genetic and molecular differences have also recently been identified. Specific genes and molecular pathways, either upregulated or downregulated depending on sex, could potentially directly dictate GBM outcome differences. It appears that sexual dimorphism in GBM affects patient outcome and requires an individualized approach to management considering the sex of the patient, especially in relation to differences at the molecular level.

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