State-of-the-Art Review: Sex Hormone Therapy in Trauma-Hemorrhage

Critical illness and sex hormones: response and impact of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis

Understanding the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis is essential for grasping human responses under extreme physiological and pathological conditions. The HPG axis regulates reproductive and gonadal hormone activities and significantly impacts the body's response to acute and chronic illnesses. This review explores the fundamental functions of the HPG axis, modifications under critical conditions, and impacts on disease progression and treatment outcomes. In addition, it examines interactions between sex hormones and biomolecules like cytokines and gastrointestinal microorganisms, highlighting their roles in immune response regulation. Clinically, this knowledge can enhance patient prognoses. The review aims to provide a comprehensive framework, based on existing research, for understanding and applying the functions of the HPG axis in managing critical diseases, thereby broadening clinical applications and guiding future research.

A review on lipid and polymeric nano-based 17-β-estradiol delivery systems: advances and challenges

17β-estradiol (E2) is an endogenous steroid hormone pivotal for the development of female secondary sexual characteristics and the maintenance of the female reproductive system. Its roles extend beyond these physiological functions, as E2 is employed in hormone replacement therapy to alleviate symptoms associated with menopause. Furthermore, E2 exhibits therapeutic potential in the management of osteoporosis, breast cancer, and various neurological and cardiovascular conditions, partly due to its anti-inflammatory effects via modulation of the MAPK/NFκB signaling pathway. Notwithstanding, the hydrophobic nature of E2 significantly hinders the formulation of efficacious delivery systems for its clinical deployment. Recent advances have highlighted nano-based delivery systems for E2 as a promising solution to this solubility challenge. This review critically examines contemporary nano-delivery strategies for E2, particularly emphasizing lipid and polymeric nanoparticle-based systems. These nanostructures are designed to enhance stability, biocompatibility, controlled release, and targeted delivery of E2, yet the selectivity of E2 delivery for therapeutic purposes remains an ongoing challenge. The novelty of this review lies in its focus on the advances in nano-based E2 delivery systems over the past decade, a topic not extensively covered in prior literature. We present a comprehensive analysis of the encapsulation of E2 within polymeric and lipid nanoparticles, underscoring the untapped potential of these strategies. This review identifies a significant research gap, advocating for intensified experimental investigations that could pave the way for the translation of nano-based E2 therapies from bench to bedside.

Sex dimorphisms in coagulation: Implications in trauma-induced coagulopathy and trauma resuscitation

Trauma-induced coagulopathy (TIC) is one of the leading causes of preventable death in injured patients. Consequently, it is imperative to understand the mechanisms underlying TIC and how to mitigate this mortality. An opportunity for advancement stems from the awareness that coagulation demonstrates a strong sex-dependent effect. Females exhibit a relative hypercoagulability compared to males, which persists after injury and confers improved outcomes. The mechanisms underlying sex dimorphisms in coagulation and its protective effect after injury have yet to be elucidated. This review explores sex dimorphisms in enzymatic hemostasis, fibrinogen, platelets, and fibrinolysis, with implications for resuscitation of patients with TIC.

Age and sex differences in blood product transfusions and mortality in trauma patients at a level I trauma center

Objectives

Hemorrhage is a common complication of trauma. We evaluated age and sex differences in treatment with blood product transfusions and massive transfusions as well as in-hospital mortality following trauma at a Level 1 Trauma Center.

Methods

This cross-sectional study evaluated trauma data from a Level 1 trauma center registry from January 2013 to December 2017. The primary outcome was amount of blood products (packed red blood cells (PRBCs), plasma, platelets), and massive transfusion (MT) by biological sex and by age group: 16-24 (youth), 25-59 (middle age), and >=60 (older age) The secondary outcome was in-hospital mortality to hospital discharge.

Results

There were 13596 trauma patients in the registry, mean age was 48 years, 4589 (34%) female and 9007 (66%) male, and median ISS of 9. Male patients received significantly more PRBC transfusions than female patients within 4-hours 6.6% vs 4.4%, and 24-hours 6.7% vs 4.5% respectively. Older patients received significantly fewer PRBC transfusions within 4-hours and 24-hours than their younger counterparts, with 6.9% in the youth group, 6.8% in the middle age group, and 3.9% in the older group (p<0.001). When adjusted for injury severity, the odds of receiving a blood transfusion within 4 hours of injury was significantly lower in older females. Using multivariate analysis, predictors of mortality included (in order of significance) injury severity, older age, transfusion within 4 hours of injury, penetrating trauma, and male sex.

Conclusion

In this large trauma cohort, older female trauma patients were less likely to receive blood products compared to younger females and to their older male counterparts, even after adjusting for injury severity. Predictors of mortality included injury severity, older age, early transfusion, penetrating trauma, and male sex. Following trauma, older women appear vulnerable to undertreatment. Further study is needed to determine the reasons for these differences and their impact on patient outcomes.