Men Have Higher Levels Of Enzyme Used By Covid-19 Virus To Infect Cells
Earlier this year, scientists discovered trends that suggest men are more susceptible to Covid-19, but scientists have been baffled as to the ‘why’ of it.
Now, new evidence has surfaced that may help explain the finding.
In an article published by the European Heart Journal on 10 May (Sun), scientists found that men have higher concentrations of this particular enzyme as compared to women.
Results show higher concentration of ACE2 enzyme
The study found that men have higher levels of Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) – in their key organs like the heart & kidneys.
The enzyme is believed to be used by the Covid-19 virus to infect cells and may have a part to play in explaining how the “infection progresses into the lungs”.
This finding could be a possible explanation as to why men have been seen to have a higher positive testing rate.
However, like any other research study, there are limitations.
For one, patients tested did not have Covid-19 themselves, and thus no direct correlation can be formed conclusively.
Subjects were also limited to those who had heart failure, so conclusions drawn are mainly for this demographic. However, these are a highly susceptible group of people, so results would still account for something substantial.
Ramipril, an ACE inhibitor
Source
This study also showed that ACE inhibitors, commonly prescribed to patients with diabetes, heart, and lung disease, did not result in higher ACE2 concentrations. This means that there is no increased risk of getting infected for people consuming these drugs.
Investigated enzyme in male & female heart failure patients
Researchers involved in this study were fuelled by previous findings that men are more susceptible to the virus than women, at 58.1% and 41.9% respectively.
They worked off the knowledge that ACE2 is a receptor that the coronavirus uses to infect our cells.
A group of 1,485 men and 537 women from across 11 European countries were part of the study, comprising mainly of elderly individuals.
All of them are heart failure patients.
Possible reason why men are more prone to Covid-19
While not 100% conclusive, we now have a potential explanation as to why men might be more prone to Covid-19.
That being said, while men might be more susceptible to the virus, everyone should still remain equally cautious.
We hope the study will continue spurring other studies in decoding Covid-19 and ending this pandemic for good.
Featured image adapted from Forbes.
