Protective effects of finasteride on the pulmonary immune response in a combined model of trauma-hemorrhage and polymicrobial sepsis in mice

► There are gender related differences following major trauma and sepsis. ► Estradiol mediates beneficial effects. ► Finasteride increases estradiol levels by inhibition of 5α-reductase after hemorrhage and sepsis in mice. ► After trauma-hemorrhage and subsequent sepsis, finasteride mediates protective effects.