Nerve injuries can have long-lasting effects on the immune system that appear to differ between males and females, according to preclinical research from McGill University.
Nerve injuries are common and can happen from stretching, pressure or cuts. They can have lasting consequences, including chronic pain. While the immune system typically helps repair the damaged area, a new study shows that nerve injuries can also disrupt the body’s entire immune system.
Analysis of blood samples from mice revealed signs of widespread inflammation throughout the body after a nerve injury. To the researchers’ surprise, male and female mice reacted very differently.