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.
基金
Jyothi S Prabhu is an awardee of the DBT Wellcome India Alliance clinical and public health intermediate fellowship(Grant no.IA/CPHI/18/1/503938)
Anuja Lipsa received post-doctoral fellowship from the above mentioned grant
