TLDR Testosterone's effects on COVID-19 are unclear and need more research.
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.
36 citations,
November 2020 in “Journal of The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology” 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors may reduce COVID-19 symptoms in bald males.
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May 2020 in “Drug Development Research” Men's sensitivity to male hormones might affect how severe COVID-19 gets for them.
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April 2020 in “Medical hypotheses” Men on 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors might have worse COVID-19 outcomes.
134 citations,
April 2020 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology” Male pattern hair loss could hint at androgens affecting COVID-19 severity.
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July 2021 in “Essays in Biochemistry” Sex hormones may influence COVID-19 severity, with males at higher risk, and certain hormone therapies could potentially treat the virus.
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July 2021 in “Nature Communications” The drug enzalutamide may reduce the ability of the virus causing COVID-19 to enter lung cells.
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September 2020 in “BMC Endocrine Disorders” Existing drug dexamethasone may lower death risk in severe COVID-19 cases; more research needed for other drugs.
January 2023 in “Journal of men's health” Higher dihydrotestosterone may be linked to more inflammation in COVID-19 patients with low testosterone.
42 citations,
June 2020 in “Seminars in Oncology” Sex hormones may affect COVID-19 severity, with men often faring worse, and targeting related pathways could offer treatment options.
