Molecular Mechanisms Leading to Sex-Specific COVID-19 Prognosis and Targeted Therapies
December 2020
in “
Frontiers in Medicine
”
TLDR Men are more at risk for severe COVID-19 due to biological differences, suggesting the need for targeted treatments.
The document reviewed sex-specific molecular mechanisms that contributed to differences in COVID-19 severity, noting that males were at higher risk for severe outcomes due to differences in the renin-angiotensin system, immune response, and endocrine function. Males expressed more ACE and ACE2, facilitating viral entry and increasing inflammation, while estrogen in females upregulated ACE2, promoting anti-inflammatory effects. The study suggested targeted therapies, including remdesivir, dexamethasone, and anti-androgen therapies like 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, to mitigate severity in males. Dietary compounds with anti-androgenic properties were also noted for their potential preventative effects. The review emphasized the importance of considering sex-specific differences in COVID-19 management.
