Xiao, H.; Wei, J.; Yuan, L.; Li, J.; Zhang, C.; Liu, G.; Liu, X. Sex Hormones in COVID‐19 Severity: The Quest for Evidence and Influence Mechanisms. Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine 2024, 28, doi:10.1111/jcmm.18490.
Xiao, H.; Wei, J.; Yuan, L.; Li, J.; Zhang, C.; Liu, G.; Liu, X. Sex Hormones in COVID‐19 Severity: The Quest for Evidence and Influence Mechanisms. Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine 2024, 28, doi:10.1111/jcmm.18490.
Xiao, H.; Wei, J.; Yuan, L.; Li, J.; Zhang, C.; Liu, G.; Liu, X. Sex Hormones in COVID‐19 Severity: The Quest for Evidence and Influence Mechanisms. Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine 2024, 28, doi:10.1111/jcmm.18490.
Xiao, H.; Wei, J.; Yuan, L.; Li, J.; Zhang, C.; Liu, G.; Liu, X. Sex Hormones in COVID‐19 Severity: The Quest for Evidence and Influence Mechanisms. Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine 2024, 28, doi:10.1111/jcmm.18490.
Abstract
Studies report variable effects of sex hormones on serious diseases. Severe disease and mortality rates in COVID-19 show marked gender differences that may be related to sex hormones. Sex hormones regulate the expression of the viral receptors ACE2 and TMPRSS2, which affect the extent of viral infection and consequently cause variable outcomes. In addition, sex hormones have complex regulatory mechanisms that affect the immune response to viruses. These hormones also affect metabolism through obesity, and severe disease can result from complications such as thrombosis. This review presents the latest research on the regulatory functions of hormones in viral receptors, immune responses, complications as well as their role in COVID-19 progression. It also discusses the therapeutical possibilities of these hormones by reviewing the recent findings of clinical and assay studies.
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