New Insights into How Biological and Social Factors Contribute to Health Differences Between Men and Women

A comprehensive international study led by researchers from Queen Mary University of London's Precision Healthcare University Research Institute (PHURI) has provided new understanding of the biological mechanisms behind health disparities observed between males and females. The study, conducted in collaboration with the Berlin Institute of Health at Charité and the Medical Research Council (MRC) Epidemiology Unit at the University of Cambridge, was published in Nature Communications.

Utilizing data from the UK Biobank and the Fenland study, the researchers analyzed the genetic factors influencing around 6,000 proteins linked to various diseases in a cohort of approximately 56,000 individuals. Their findings reveal that nearly two-thirds of these proteins exhibit different levels between the sexes. Interestingly, only a small subset—about 100 proteins—showed differences in genetic regulation when comparing males and females.

These results suggest that genetic differences are not the sole drivers of health variations between sexes. Instead, external factors such as lifestyle, environment, socio-economic status, and hormonal influences play significant roles. The study emphasizes the importance of considering these non-genetic factors when examining health risks and outcomes associated with sex differences.

Lead researcher Mine Koprulu highlighted the importance of this research, stating that this is the largest study to investigate the genetic and proteomic regulation across sexes at this level of detail. The findings underscore the necessity of understanding various influencing factors beyond genetics to develop more personalized and equitable healthcare solutions.

Professor Claudia Langenberg, director of PHURI, added that insights into protein regulation differences are crucial for refining drug development processes and implementing precision medicine. She pointed out that while many genetic variants behave similarly across sexes, assumptions about sex-specific genetic effects should be revisited, as most protein regulation occurs similarly in males and females.

The researchers note that their categorization of sex based on chromosomal data (XX or XY) may not align perfectly with an individual's gender identity but was essential for the genetic analyses. The study advocates for further exploration of socio-economic and lifestyle factors in understanding and addressing sex-based health disparities.

This groundbreaking research opens pathways for more targeted interventions and highlights the need for a broader perspective on health determinants influenced by both biology and environment.

Source: Medical Xpress