Gender disparity in COVID-19: Role of sex steroid hormones

• 作者: Anuja Lipsa Jyothi S Prabhu
• 来源期刊: 亚太热带医药杂志（英文版）
• 年，卷（期）: 2021,（1）
• 所属期刊栏目: Review Article
• 页码范围: 5-9
• 页数: 5页
• 语种: 英文
• DOI: 10.4103/1995-7645.304293

摘要

The emerging pandemic of COVID-19 caused by the novel pathogenic human coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has caused significant morbidity and mortality across the globe, prompting the scientific world to search for preventive measures to interrupt the disease process. Demographic data indicates gender-based differences in COVID-19 morbidity with better outcome amongst females. Disparity in sex-dependent morbidity and mortality in COVID-19 patients may be attributed to difference in levels of sex steroid hormones -androgens and estrogens. Evidence suggests that apart from the regulation of viral host factors, immunomodulatory and cardioprotective roles exerted by estrogen and progesterone may provide protection to females against COVID-19. Exploring the underlying mechanisms and beneficial effects of these hormones as an adjuvant to existing therapy may be a step towards improving the outcomes. This article aims to review studies demonstrating the role of sex steroidal hormones in modulating SARS-CoV-2 host factors and summarize plausible biological reasons for sex-based differences seen in COVID-19 mortality.