Testosterone in COVID-19: An Adversary Bane or Comrade Boon
September 2021
in “
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology
”
Studysummary This review highlights the mixed roles of testosterone in COVID-19, noting both potential benefits through anti-inflammatory effects and risks due to increased virus entry, with low testosterone linked to increased severity.
Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer
The document "Testosterone in COVID-19: An Adversary Bane or Comrade Boon" explores the complex role of testosterone in COVID-19 severity. It suggests that testosterone, a male sex hormone, can both increase the risk of severe COVID-19 by enhancing the expression of ACE2, the receptor that the virus uses to enter cells, and potentially mitigate the severity of the disease due to its anti-inflammatory properties. The document also indicates that low testosterone levels, often seen in COVID-19 patients, are linked to disease severity, primarily due to testicular injury. Furthermore, testosterone therapy may reduce COVID-19 severity by mitigating SARS-CoV-2-induced oxidative stress and associated complications. However, the document concludes that the beneficial or harmful effects of testosterone in COVID-19 are not yet clear, and further clinical trials and large-scale prospective studies are needed to confirm potential associations.
