Aging and estrogen: Modulation of inflammatory responses after injury

Aged subjects have a poor prognosis after traumatic injury and, regardless of the type of injury, they have slower recoveries and suffer more complications than their younger counterparts. The age-dependent responses may be influenced by the hyper-inflammatory state observed in the aged prior to injury, including elevated levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6). Physiological levels of estrogen are beneficial to the immune system, due, in part, to the hormone’s ability to attenuate aberrant production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Using two independent injury models, we have found increased mortality and elevated serum levels of IL-6 in aged mice, when compared to young animals (p < 0.05). In parallel studies, groups of aged mice given estrogen (17β-estradiol) prior to scald burn, had significantly improved survival (p < 0.05) and lowered serum IL-6 (p < 0.05). Multiple cellular mechanisms may be involved in mediating the beneficial effects of estrogen on inflammatory and immune responses in aged individuals who sustain an injury. These mechanisms are discussed herein.