Science News | Study Finds Estrogen May Lessen Severity of COVID-19 Symptoms in Women
Get latest articles and stories on Science at LatestLY. Researchers from Wake Forest School of Medicine conducted a review in an effort to understand why men are at greater risk for more severe symptoms and worse outcomes from COVID-19 regardless of age. The scientists conducted a review of the published preclinical data on sex-specific hormone activity, especially estrogen.
North Carolina [US], Aug 30 (ANI): Researchers from Wake Forest School of Medicine conducted a review in an effort to understand why men are at greater risk for more severe symptoms and worse outcomes from COVID-19 regardless of age. The scientists conducted a review of the published preclinical data on sex-specific hormone activity, especially estrogen.
The review has been published in the September online issue of the journal Current Hypertension Reports.
Also Read | Tamil Nadu Govt Extends COVID-19 Lockdown Till September 30, Here Are The Full Guidelines.
"We know that coronavirus affects the heart and we know that estrogen is protective against cardiovascular disease in women, so the most likely explanation seemed to be hormonal differences between the sexes," said the lead author of the review, Leanne Groban, M.D., professor of anesthesiology at Wake Forest School of Medicine, part of Wake Forest Baptist Health.
Groban's researchers said the published literature indicated that the angiotensin-converting enzyme2 (ACE2), which is attached to cell membranes in the heart, arteries, kidneys and intestines, is the cellular receptor of the coronavirus responsible for COVID-19 infections, and helps bring the virus into the cells of those organ systems.
The review, they said, also pointed to estrogen's lowering the level of ACE2 in the heart, which may modulate the severity of COVID-19 in women. Conversely, higher levels of ACE2 in tissues could account for why symptoms are worse in men than women, Groban said.
"We hope that our review regarding the role of estrogenic hormones in ACE2 expression and regulation may explain the gender differences in COVID-19 infection and outcomes, and serve as a guide for current treatment and the development of new therapies," Groban said. (ANI)
(The above story is verified and authored by ANI staff, ANI is South Asia's leading multimedia news agency with over 100 bureaus in India, South Asia and across the globe. ANI brings the latest news on Politics and Current Affairs in India & around the World, Sports, Health, Fitness, Entertainment, & News. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)