Scientists find rare wound-healing edge for men
Results of a new study show that oral wounds heal faster in men than in elderly women, but skin wounds improve quicker in women than men, researchers said. Investigators believe the findings could have significant implications for promoting post-surgical healing, especially with more seniors undergoing various kinds of procedures.
Testosterone might be a key, said the study's lead author, research assistant professor Christopher Engeland of the University of Illinois-Chicago: "It's a potent anti-inflammatory hormone that is abundant in saliva."Conversely, when skin wounds are involved, women heal faster than men, partly because inflammation causes quicker closure. Women are more likely to suffer from inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, Engeland pointed out. But carefully inflicted mouth wounds for the study appeared to heal slower when more inflammation was present, he added. More than 210 individuals took part in the study, with the older cohort ranging from 50 to 88 years of age.
