Abstract
There are sexual differences in the onset, prevalence, and outcome of numerous neurological diseases. Thus, in Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and major depression disorder, the incidence in women is higher than in men. In contrast, men are more likely to present other pathologies, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and autism spectrum. Although the neurological contribution to these diseases has classically always been studied, the truth is that neurons are not the only cells to be affected, and there are other cells, such as glial cells, that are also involved and could be key to understanding the development of these pathologies. Sexual differences exist not only in pathology but also in physiological processes, which shows how cells are differentially regulated in males and females. One of the reasons these sexual differences may occur could be due to the different action of sex hormones. Many studies have shown an increase in aromatase levels in the brain, which could indicate the main role of estrogens in modulating proinflammatory processes. This review will highlight data about sex differences in glial physiology and how estrogenic compounds, such as estradiol and tibolone, could be used as treatment in neurological diseases due to their anti-inflammatory effects and the ability to modulate glial cell functions.
Highlights
One of the most sensitive and precise defense systems against trauma, bacteria, and viruses is the immune system, which extends throughout the body
We present a description about several sexual differences that can be found in both physiological and pathological conditions on glial cells and a description about the impact of estrogenic compounds like estradiol and tibolone on astrocyte and microglia functional activity
New neuroglia mechanisms have been elucidated, and it is clear that neurological diseases are a compendium of numerous factors and cells, including microglia and astrocytes
Summary
One of the most sensitive and precise defense systems against trauma, bacteria, and viruses is the immune system, which extends throughout the body. It has been shown that estradiol levels are different in male and female brains during a developmental period around birth, and there are well-established sex differences in the amount of testosterone and estradiol in the hypothalamus and preoptic area during the perinatal period. One interesting tool to study the genetic/sex hormone contribution to pathologies is the use of the four core genotype (FCG) model [22] Using this model, researchers were able to discover recently why women are more likely to develop multiple sclerosis [23]. Researchers were able to discover recently why women are more likely to develop multiple sclerosis [23] For this reason, it is easy to think that do cells respond differently in males and females after an insult but that sexual differences can be found in cell performance under normal conditions due to their different genotype. We present a description about several sexual differences that can be found in both physiological and pathological conditions on glial cells and a description about the impact of estrogenic compounds like estradiol and tibolone on astrocyte and microglia functional activity
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