Sex Dimorphism in Pain Threshold and Neuroinflammatory Response: The Protective Effect of Female Sexual Hormones on Behavior and Seizures in an Allergic Rhinitis Model

In this study, we aimed to determine whether these findings were replicable in female mice and to explore the potential involvement of sexual hormones in regulating neuroinflammation in an allergic model.  Our results indicate that pain threshold was decreased in female mice with allergic rhinitis and the levels of IL-23/IL-17A/IL-17R were increased in their Dorsal root ganglia. However, unlike males, female mice with AR did not display neuropsychological symptoms such as learning and memory deficit s, depression, and anxiety-like behavior. This was along with decreased levels of DNA methyl transferase 1 (DNMT1) and inflammatory cytokines in their hippocampus. Ovariectomized mice were used to mitigate hormonal effects, and the results showed that they had behavioral changes and neuroinflammatio n in their hippocampus similar to male mice, as well as increased levels of DNMT1. These findings demonstrate sex differences in how allergic rhinitis affects behavior, pain sensitivity, and seizure thresholds. Furthermore, our data suggest that DNMT1 may be influenced by sexual hormones, which cou ld play a role in modulating inflammation in allergic conditions.Graphical Abstract
Source: Journal of NeuroImmune Pharmacology - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research