Aim: 

It is known that adult murine males are more oxidated and show a worst immune function than the females. In previous studies, we have observed that the dosis of lipopolisacchacaride needed to produce a lethal endotoxic shock in mice ICR-CD1 is higher in females than in males. In the present work the gender differences in several functions and redox parameters of leucocytes as well as the changes after a lethal endotoxic shock in old CD53 mice have been studied.

Methods: 

21 month-old CD53 female and male mice were injected intraperitoneally with 50 mg/kg of bacterial endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide from Escherichia coli O55:B5). Peritoneal cells suspensions were obtained from animals at 0, 2 and 24 hours after injection and the following parameters were analized: phagocytosis, microbicidal activity (intracellular superoxide anion levels), natural killer capacity, catalase activity and total glutathione levels.

Results: 

The results showed that the immune functions studied (phagocitosis, microbicidal capacity and natural killer activity) are increased in females with respect to males before administration of endotoxic shock and maintain this increase at 24h after the injection. The antioxidants studied, namely catalase activity and glutathione levels, show similar levels in males and females before injection, but 24 h after administration of lipopolysaccharide the females have lower catalase activity and higher glutathione levels than males. The mortality was 100% at 72 h.

Conclusion: 

There are gender-related differences in several parameters of function and antioxidant state of peritoneal leukocytes, as well as in their response to a lethal endotoxic shock.

Supported: F.I.Mutua Madrileña. RETICEF (RD06/0013/0003). Group of Research UCM (910379ENEROINN).