Why do women have easier symptoms than men?

Scientists have found a possible explanation of why men may have a higher risk of manifesting the worst symptoms of COVID-19 than women and why they may have worse results, regardless of their age.

Researchers at the Wape Forest Baptist Medical Center in the United States have highlighted the role of the female estrogen sex hormone in lowering levels of enzyme ACE2 in the heart, which can facilitate COVID-19 in women.

The study, published in the magazine Current Hypertension Reports, examined pre-clinic data on the specific activity of hormones, particularly estrogen.

We know that the coronary affects the heart and we know that estrogen protects from cardiovascular diseases in women, so they seem to be the most likely explanation for the hormonal changes between the gender”, said lead author of the study Lian Groban, professor at the Wakeest School of Medicine.

The study showed that ACE2, which relates to cell membranes in the heart, arteries, kidneys and intestines, is the receptor of coronary cells responsible for COVID-19 infections and is responsible for transporting the virus to cells in these organ systems, reports Business Standard.

Estrogen reduces the levels of ACE2 of the heart, which can mold the severity of COVID-19 disease in women. By contrast, the highest ACE2 levels in the tissues can also explain why men have heavier symptoms, according to Groban.

“Hopefully our study of the role of estrogenic hormones in the expression and regulation of ACE2 will explain gender changes in infection and the results of COVID-19 and serve as a guide for the treatment and development of new therapies,” he said.