Why ill men are more likely to COVID-19?
In the Wake of the Coronavirus pandemic, many more men suffer than women of serious diseases. The question is, why? According to a recent study, higher concentrations of a specific enzyme in the male body could play a decisive role.
In the current investigation of the University of Groningen has found that a growing number of in the male body occurring enzyme allows the Coronavirus infection of healthy cells. This may explain why men are more prone to COVID-19 than women. The results of the study were published in the English journal “European Heart Journal”.
Men have higher concentrations of ACE2 in the blood
The examination of several thousand people shows that men have higher concentrations of Angiotensin-Converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) in the blood. The special enzyme, a so-called TRANS-membrane protein is used, and allows the Coronavirus to infect healthy cells in the body.
How does ACE2 the Coronavirus?
The Coronavirus uses ACE2 as a Receptor. With the help of the TRANS-membrane protein that Virus penetration into healthy cells and infect them, report the researchers. In the lung high levels of ACE2 are, for example, which is why you assume that ACE2 plays a crucial role in the Progression of lung disease in connection with COVID-19.
ACE2 concentrations in the blood samples examined
The research group measured the ACE2 concentrations in blood samples from two groups of heart failure patients from eleven European countries. In the first group, the cohort Index, were 1.485 men and 537 women. The results were validated in a second group 1.123 men and 575.
The ACE2 concentration was, therefore, in the case of men is much higher than in the case of women, what could be a possible explanation for why men are more likely to COVID-19 die as women.
Male sex with increased ACE2-values
The researchers studied a series of clinical factors that can play in the ACE2 concentrations of a role, such as the use of ACE inhibitors, ARB (Angiotensin Receptor Blockers), and Mineralocorticoid Receptor antagonists (MRA), or a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), coronary artery By-pass grafting and atrial fibrillation. The male gender, however, had been overall, the strongest predictor of increased ACE2 concentrations, reports the research team.
Increased ACE2 concentrations through medicines?
The researchers also found no evidence that drugs such as ACE inhibitors and ARB with increased ACE2 concentrations to be achieved in the Plasma in the connection. Some recent research results had suggested that for example, in the case of persons with heart failure, taking on the Renin-Angiotensin-aldosterone-System (RAAS), targeted drugs (RAAS inhibitors), the concentration of ACE2 in blood plasma increases might be. The current study found, however, no Belge. (as)