scholarly journals Sex-Related Differences in Drugs with Anti-Inflammatory Properties

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 1441
Author(s):  
André Farkouh ◽  
Christoph Baumgärtel ◽  
Roman Gottardi ◽  
Margit Hemetsberger ◽  
Martin Czejka ◽  
...  

There is increasing evidence of sex differences in the action of anti-inflammatory drugs, with women being at significantly higher risk of adverse effects. Nevertheless, clinicians’ awareness of the implications of these sex differences on dosing and adverse event monitoring in routine practice is still in need of improvement. We reviewed the literature evaluating sex differences in terms of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of anti-inflammatory drugs. The anti-thrombotic activity of selective and non-selective COX-inhibitors tends to be stronger in men than women. Side effect profiles differ with regards to gastro-intestinal, renal and hepatic complications. Glucocorticosteroids were found to be more effective in men; women were more sensitive to corticosteroids when their oestradiol levels were high, a finding important for women taking hormonal contraception. TNF-alpha inhibitors have a longer half-life in men, leading to stronger immunosuppression and this a higher incidence of infections as side effects. Although research on sex differences in the effectiveness and safety of drugs is increasing, findings are often anecdotal and controversial. There is no systematic sex-differentiated reporting from clinical trials, and women are often under-represented. As personalized medicine is gaining in importance, sex, and gender aspects need to become integral parts of future research and policy making.

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 247028972098001
Author(s):  
Rebecca Leeds ◽  
Ari Shechter ◽  
Carmela Alcantara ◽  
Brooke Aggarwal ◽  
John Usseglio ◽  
...  

Sex differences in cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality have been attributed to differences in pathophysiology between men and women and to disparities in CVD management that disproportionately affect women compared to men. Similarly, there has been investigation of differences in the prevalence and presentation of insomnia attributable to sex. Few studies have examined how sex and insomnia interact to influence CVD outcomes, however. In this review, we summarize the literature on sex-specific differences in the prevalence and presentation of insomnia as well as existing research regarding the relationship between insomnia and CVD outcomes as it pertains to sex. Research to date indicate that women are more likely to have insomnia than men, and there appear to be differential associations in the relation between insomnia and CVD by sex. We posit potential mechanisms of the relationship between sex, insomnia and CVD, discuss gaps in the existing literature, and provide commentary on future research needed in this area. Unraveling the complex relations between sex, insomnia, and CVD may help to explain sex-specific differences in CVD, and identify sex-specific strategies for promotion of cardiovascular health. Throughout this review, terms “men” and “women” are used as they are in the source literature, which does not differentiate between sex and gender. The implications of this are also discussed.


2004 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 1026-1027
Author(s):  
Jeannette McGlone

Hines finds it impossible to make distinctions between the terms “sex” and “gender,” hence their refreshing, non-political interchangeability in her new book. After examining hormonal and brain-based data, Hines concludes that science cannot yet inform us which differences are determined biologically, socially, and/or both.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emanuela Zagni ◽  
Lucia Simoni ◽  
Delia Colombo

There are important sex differences in the brain that seem to arise from biology as well as psychosocial influences. Sex differences in several aspects of human behavior and cognition have been reported. Gonadal sex steroids or genes found on sex chromosomes influence sex differences in neuroanatomy, neurochemistry and neuronal structure, and connectivity. There has been some resistance to accept that sex differences in the human brain exist and have biological relevance; however, a few years ago, it has been recommended by the USA National Institute of Mental Health to incorporate sex as a variable in experimental and clinical neurological and psychiatric studies. We here review the clinical literature on sex differences in pain and neurological and psychiatric diseases, with the aim to further stimulate interest in sexual dimorphisms in the brain and brain diseases, possibly encouraging more research in the field of the implications of sex differences for treating these conditions.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 247028972094187
Author(s):  
Jennifer L. Marsella ◽  
Katherine M. Sharkey

Over the past 3 decades, significant strides have been made in the field of sleep medicine for women. The impact of sex and gender on sleep health and sleep disorders received little attention in the early 1990s, but driven by policies ensuring inclusion of women in medical research, more recent studies have identified sex differences in sleep and investigated gender differences in sleep disorders. Nevertheless, disparities remain: diagnosis of sleep disorders, such as obstructive sleep apnea, narcolepsy, and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder are often delayed and underdiagnosed in women. Future research should continue to examine how biological sex and identity across the gender spectrum influence sleep health and sleep disorders, allowing for more personalized health care for all patients.


2019 ◽  
Vol 59 (6) ◽  
pp. e802-e815 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ifah Arbel ◽  
Kathleen S Bingham ◽  
Deirdre R Dawson

Abstract Background and Objectives Sex and gender differences among dementia spousal caregivers have been investigated, but never systematically reviewed or synthesized. A synthesis of findings can help facilitate specificity in practice and in health policy development. As a first step towards such a synthesis, this scoping review reports the available evidence, identifies research gaps, and suggests possible directions for future research. Research Design and Methods A scoping review methodology was used to identify articles, and to chart and analyze data. Systematic searches for published, empirical studies, with an explicit goal or hypothesis related to sex or gender differences were conducted in seven databases. Results Sixty-one studies met inclusion criteria. Most (n = 45) were quantitative, cross-sectional studies. Caregivers included in the studies were generally 61–70 years old, Caucasian, middle-class, and highly educated. The most extensively investigated differences are: depression, burden, objective physical health, and informal supports. Discussion and Implications This scoping review is the first to summarize and critique the research on sex and gender differences that are specific to dementia spousal caregivers. The review can be used by researchers to make decisions regarding future systematic reviews and primary studies. To further strengthen the evidence base, future studies may benefit from including more caregivers of ethnic minorities, using more qualitative, longitudinal, or experimental designs, and focusing on variables needed to inform caregiving models and theories. Overall, this scoping review contributes to furthering gender-sensitive practices and policies that are better tailored to the specific needs of this population.


2017 ◽  
Vol 313 (4) ◽  
pp. F1009-F1017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer C. Sullivan ◽  
Ellen E. Gillis

Hypertension is a complex, multifaceted disorder, affecting ~1 in 3 adults in the United States. Although hypertension occurs in both men and women, there are distinct sex differences in the way in which they develop hypertension, with women having a lower incidence of hypertension until the sixth decade of life. Despite observed sex differences in hypertension, little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying the development of hypertension in females, primarily because of their underrepresentation in both clinical and experimental animal studies. The first goal of this review is to provide a concise overview of the participation of women in clinical trials, including a discussion of the importance of including females in basic science research, as recently mandated by the National Institutes of Health. The remaining portion of the review is dedicated to identifying clinical and experimental animal studies that concentrate on gender and sex differences in hypertensive kidney disease, ending with a proposed role for T cells in mediating sex differences in blood pressure.


2015 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 200-203
Author(s):  
Katarzyna Dyndor ◽  
Wojciech Dworzanski ◽  
Małgorzata Pliszczynska-Steuden ◽  
Monika Cendrowska-Pinkosz ◽  
Tomasz Chroscicki ◽  
...  

Abstract Non-selective cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors, commonly referred to as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), are among the most taken pharmaceuticals. In adults, they can have a series of side effects, including especially gastroenterotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, chondrotoxicity, and neurotoxicity, and they can induce allergic reactions. Any exacerbation of symptoms depends on the chemical structure of the drug, its dosage and duration of exposure, individual sensitivity, comorbidities and the degree of inhibition of basic COX isoenzymes - the constitutive (COX-2) and induced (COX-1) expressions. However, data on prenatal toxicity are inconsistent. Classic nonselective COX inhibitors do not result in an increase in the risk of developing significant congenital defects; however, if used in the late-pregnancy period, they can have an adverse effect on the foetus, by inducing the premature closure of the ductus arteriosus and by producing a tocolytic effect. Individual reports also indicate the increased risk of developing heart and anterior abdominal wall defects, as well as hypospadias.


RSC Advances ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (61) ◽  
pp. 49098-49109 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luísa C. R. Carvalho ◽  
Daniela Ribeiro ◽  
Raquel S. G. R. Seixas ◽  
Artur M. S. Silva ◽  
Mariana Nave ◽  
...  

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs exert their pharmacological activity through inhibition of cyclooxygenase 1 and 2 (COX-1 and COX-2).


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document