There are many risk factors that put people at greater risk for New Crown (this virus) infections. From old age, to obesity, to heart and breathing problems, the list seems to keep growing …… And recently, scientists say that the gene that causes men to lose their hair actually makes them 2.5 times more likely to be hospitalized with a serious neo-crown infection!
Researchers reported their findings to the European Society of Dermatology and Venereology, which found that men who are genetically sensitive to the male hormone androgen have a much greater chance of developing severe neo-crown. scientists at Applied Biology studied the link after finding a disproportionate number of balding men in neo-crown intensive care units.
Variants in the androgen receptor ( AR) gene can lead to androgenetic alopecia, a common form of hair loss. This gene, affects the body’s sensitivity to hormones such as testosterone.
Studies have found that 79% of men hospitalized with new crowns suffer from androgenetic alopecia. In contrast, only 31-53 percent of men of similar age suffered from androgenetic alopecia. In addition, the team said that an enzyme associated with COVID-19 infection ( TMPRSS2) is also regulated by the body’s androgenic response. Therefore, AR gene variants may also affect this enzyme.
The researchers added that the polyglutamine repeat region ( CAG repeat region) of the AR gene has been linked to both hormone sensitivity and hair loss. With this in mind, the team investigated whether there was any link between the length of the CAG repeat region in DNA and the severity of neocoronavirus.
The study authors tested 65 hospitalized COVID-19 patients and measured the length of their CAG repeats for each AR gene. The results showed that men with fewer than 22 nucleotides in the CAG repeat sequence were much less likely to have COVID. In contrast, those with more than 22 nucleotides in the alopecia gene had a significantly higher chance of developing a serious infection.
“The identification of biomarkers associated with the androgen receptor is another piece of evidence highlighting the important role of androgens in COVID-19 disease severity.”
said Andy Goren, Chief Medical Officer of Applied Biology.
Dr. Goran’s team also explored a new treatment for COVID-19: The therapy uses a new androgen receptor antagonist to target the TMPRSS2 enzyme. By regulating how this enzyme is expressed in patients, the researchers hope to find a way to treat neo-coronavirus infections.
The researchers presented their findings at EADV’s Spring Symposium 2021.
Recent Comments