Men’s immune systems appear to be better equipped to block pain, which may explain why chronic pain is more common in women, findings from a study in mice and humans suggest.
Certain monocytes – a type of immune system cell – produce an anti-inflammatory protein called interleukin 10 (IL-10) which “stops“pain signals transmitted by nerve cells, noted the leader of the study, Geoffroy Laumet from Michigan State University, United States, in the scientific journal Science Immunology, writes Agerpres.
The production of these pain-relieving immune cells is driven by male sex hormones such as testosterone, scientists have found.
“The difference between men’s pain and women’s pain is biologically based. It’s not in your mind and you’re not weak. It’s in your immune system.”Laumet wrote in a statement.
In injured mice, higher numbers of IL-10-producing monocytes were observed in males compared to females, and in males, pain resolved more quickly after injury, the researchers said.
Separately, among 245 people recovering from injuries, pain resolution was faster in men than women and was associated with higher levels of monocytes and IL-10 in men.
Administering testosterone pellets to ovariectomized, injured female mice increased IL-10 levels and accelerated pain resolution.
In male mice that had their testicles removed, which led to a decrease in testosterone, IL-10 levels were reduced and the resolution of post-injury pain was delayed.
The slower disappearance of pain in women increases the risk of progression to chronic pain, the researchers noted.
New discoveries change “the way of thinking from how pain starts to why pain persists“, they emphasized.
The next step is to investigate how treatments could target this pathway and stimulate IL-10 production.
“This opens new avenues for non-opioid therapies aimed at preventing chronic pain before it sets in.”said Geoffroy Laumet.
