Sex Differences in Posttraumatic Cytokine Release of Endotoxin-Stimulated Whole Blood: Relationship to the Development of Severe Sepsis

Abstract

The present study demonstrates a sex-specific regulation of leukocyte function in patients with multiple injuries within the early posttraumatic period. In male patients with multiple injuries, increased cytokine-producing capacities may correspond to enhanced inflammatory responses, which increase susceptibility to sepsis, whereas in female patients, other regulatory mechanisms may be involved.