Summary
Although the effects of androgens on wound healing are poorly characterised, the androgen
receptor is expressed by inflammatory cells, keratinocytes and fibroblasts during
wound healing, suggesting that androgens may regulate inflammatory and/or repair processes.
In fact, it appears that endogenous testosterone inhibits wound healing and promotes
inflammation since castration of male mice or systemic treatment with the androgen
receptor antagonist flutamide accelerates cutaneous wound healing and reduces the
inflammatory response. The aim of this review is to summarise our current knowledge
about the regulation of tissue repair processes by androgens.
Keywords
Testosterone - androgen receptor - wound - castration - inflammation