A scientist revealed why women are more likely to develop multiple sclerosis

The pronounced activity of the immune system and hormonal characteristics of the body lead to the fact that multiple sclerosis more often affects women. This was explained by Kimberly Bruce, an associate professor in the Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical School, in an interview with Medical Xpress (MedX).

Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system destroys myelin — the protective sheath of nerve fibers. This disrupts signal transmission in the central nervous system and can lead to problems with vision, movement, cognitive functions, and bodily control.

"To understand why the disease is more common in women, we analyzed more than 120 proteins in cerebrospinal fluid samples from women aged 30-49 with multiple sclerosis and compared them with a control group of patients with headaches," the scientist explained.

Through proteomic analysis, it was found that in multiple sclerosis, there is increased activity of proteins associated with immune cells of the brain — microglia and macrophages. At the same time, the activity of proteins responsible for neuronal function and regenerative processes decreases.

According to Bruce, in women, immune cells may also more easily shift into an inflammatory state, which intensifies damage to nerve tissue.

The researchers paid special attention to the role of hormones.

"It is known that the level of the female sex hormone estrogen affects the functioning of immune cells and energy metabolism in tissues. In laboratory experiments, the addition of estrogen improved cell functioning; however, using the hormone itself in therapy is impossible due to side effects," the lead researcher clarified.

Currently, scientists are studying exactly which protective mechanisms estrogen triggers, in order to replicate them in treatment without hormonal intervention in the future.