Testosterone Helps Modulate Immune Activity in the Digestive System

The digestive system is often referred to as "the second brain," with good reason. Many emotions are immediately felt in the stomach, and the saying " my gut feeling" is so true. A healthy, smoothly functioning digestive system is crucial to our good health, especially concerning the strength of our immune systems.

Our bodies depend on the immune system for survival. The immune system is critical to protect against diseases and other foreign invaders. Unfortunately, the human immune system is also prone to over-activity.

Millions in America deal with auto-immune disorders ranging from frustrating to life-threatening. While women are more likely to experience autoimmune issues, individuals of both sexes frequently experience these health problems.

Gender Differences in Chronic Inflammation

Jonathan Busada of West Virginia University is interested in exploring the mechanisms which lead to inflammation and how sexual differences cause men and women to experience inflammation differently. Women, in particular, are more prone to stomach inflammation than men.

In his research, he found that androgens likely help to protect against problematic gut inflammation. This research was revealed in the medical journal Gastroenterology.

Busada is specifically concerned with how inflammation influences the onset of stomach cancer. In most cases, stomach cancer results from chronic inflammation of the gut. Busada explains the difference between healthy immunity and an overactive immune system. The immune system is designed to protect the body, but it can do more harm than good when it goes into overdrive.

This sort of research helps scientists understand the difference between a healthy immune response and destructive inflammation and what factors lead the body down the path of harm. Busada's work shows that Testosterone is a powerful force to reign in inflammation and help the immune system perform its duties more efficiently and effectively.

Animal Research Tests the Effects of Testosterone on Inflammation

Busada explored the effects of both Testosterone and Glucocorticoids on stomach inflammation, focusing on Testosterone. This study focused on animal research with mice. Glucocorticoids are adrenal hormones secreted by mammals. Cortisol is an example of a human glucocorticoid and is the most influential.

Mice do not produce Cortisol but produce biologically similar hormones which serve the same purpose. Glucocorticoids are made in the same way by men and women but can be influenced by sex hormone activity.

Professor Busada first worked with mice that produced neither Testosterone nor Glucocorticoids. Researchers found that without the influence of these hormones, inflammation rates remained equal between male and female mice. When treated with Testosterone, on the other hand, inflammation disappears.

This research showed that female mice only have natural inflammation protection via glucocorticoids. In contrast, the male rats were protected further from inflammation due to the benefits of testosterone and glucocorticoids.

Women at Increased Risk of Autoimmune Disorders

This research helps to explain why women are more at risk for auto-immune conditions than men. It's estimated that women experience 80% of Auto-Immune Disorders. Women have triple the chances of experiencing rheumatoid arthritis and have more than twice the risk of celiac disease, for example.

Stomach cancer is of particular concern because it's one of the most deadly cancers in the world today—third behind colorectal cancer (2nd) and lung cancer (1st). Treating stomach inflammation can help patients across the globe mitigate their risk of stomach cancer, and Testosterone Therapy may be a tool at doctors' disposal.

Testosterone as Anti-Inflammatory

There's a chance that specialized Testosterone or Androgen treatments could help women improve their resistance to inflammation. This also shows the importance of being tested for Low-T, as waning Testosterone Levels in men can hurt the functional performance of the immune system.

While women are more prone to stomach inflammation, men are at greater risk of stomach cancer which is primarily encouraged by inflammation.

This research lays the groundwork for our understanding of how stomach inflammation is impacted by androgen activity. Further study will give medical professionals the knowledge and tools they need to create effective therapies. For now, the results offer more evidence regarding the importance of Endocrine Balance for a healthy immune system.

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