Sex differences in systemic inflammation and immune function in diet‐induced obesity rodent models: A systematic review

• Published in: Obesity reviews Vol. 25; no. 3; pp. e13665 - n/a
• Main Authors: Braga Tibaes, Jenneffer Rayane, Barreto Silva, Maria Ines, Wollin, Bethany, Vine, Donna, Tsai, Sue, Richard, Caroline
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.03.2024
• Subjects: Adipose tissue; Animal models; Cell proliferation; Context; Cytokines; Diet; diet‐induced obesity; Females; Gender differences; immune function; Immune response; Immune system; Immunology; Inflammation; Investigations; Leukocyte migration; Macrophages; Males; Obesity; Phenotypes; Sex differences; Systematic review; systemic inflammation; systemic inflammation; immune function; diet-induced obesity; sex differences
• ISSN: 1467-7881; 1467-789X; 1467-789X
• DOI: 10.1111/obr.13665

Summary Understanding sex differences in immunological responses in the context of obesity is important to improve health outcomes. This systematic review aimed to investigate sex differences in systemic inflammation, immune cell phenotype, and function in diet‐induced obesity (DIO) animal models. A systematic search in Medline, Embase, and CINAHL from inception to April 2023 was conducted, using a combination of the following concepts: sex, obesity, cytokines, and immune cell phenotypes/function. Forty‐one publications reporting on systemic inflammation (61%), cell phenotype (44%), and/or function (7%) were included. Females had lower systemic inflammation compared with males in response to DIO intervention and a higher proportion of macrophage (M)2‐like cells compared with males that had a higher proportion of M1‐like in adipose tissue. Although there were no clear sex differences in immune function, high‐fat DIO intervention remains an important factor in the development of immune dysfunction in both males and females, including disturbances in cytokine production, proliferation, and migration of immune cells. Yet, the mechanistic links between diet and obesity on such immune dysfunction remain unclear. Future studies should investigate the role of diet and obesity in the functionality of immune cells and employ adequate methods for a high‐quality investigation of sex differences in this context.