The Acid–Base Balance and Gender in Inflammation: A Mini-Review

Abstract

In humans, acid-base balance is crucial to cell homeostasis. Acidosis is observed in numerous inflammatory processes, primarily acute conditions such as sepsis, trauma, or acute respiratory distress where females tend to exhibit better prognosis compared with males. The mechanisms underlying these gender-dependent differences are multiple, probably involving hormonal and genetic factors, particularly the X chromosome. Although pH influences multiple immunological functions, gender differences in acid-base balance have been poorly investigated. In this review, we provide an update on gender differences in human susceptibility to inflammatory diseases. We additionally discuss the potential impact of acid-base balance on the gender bias of the inflammatory response in view of our recent observation that girls present higher neutrophilic inflammation and lower pH with a trend toward better prognosis in severe sepsis. We also highlight the potent role played by endothelial cells in gender differences of inflammation through activation of proton-sensing G protein-coupled receptors.

Bidirectional Relationship Between Reduced Blood pH and Acute Pancreatitis: A Translational Study of Their Noxious Combination

“…The production of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines was repeatedly shown to depend from the extracellular pH (for reviews, see Kellum et al, 2004b ; Okajima, 2013 ; Casimir et al, 2018 ). Although the different forms and severities of acidosis can differently influence cytokine production (Kellum et al, 2004b ), a proinflammatory effect, including enhanced TNF-α synthesis and augmented nuclear factor-κB activation, of hyperchloremic acidification was shown in activated macrophages by independent groups (Bellocq et al, 1998 ; Heming et al, 2001 ; Kellum et al, 2004a ).…”

The trace aminergic system: a gender-sensitive therapeutic target for IBS?

“…However, given the self-perpetuating cycle of oxidative stress and inflammation, it is not unexpected that a pro-inflammatory phenotype (increased TNFα and IL-17, decreased IL-10) is prevalent in IBS. Also, in the context of inflammation, a female bias has been reported, with females exhibiting higher inflammatory capacity and generally having poorer prognosis in chronic inflammatory disease [ 38 ].…”

“…The importance of considering inflammation in IBS, is underlined by several factors. Firstly, a recent review concluded that gender-differences in inflammation—specifically the fact that prognosis in chronic inflammatory conditions are worse in females, in line with the female predominance in IBS—cannot be fully accounted for by hormonal differences between genders [ 38 ]. Secondly, psychosocial stress is the most generally recognized risk factor for both development and relapse of IBS [ 222 ].…”

Novel multiparametric nomogram for overall survival prediction in complicated intra-abdominal infection: A multicenter study in China

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