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- RE: Low DHEA causal in Covid-19 is further Antagonized by Testosterone
It is my hypothesis that Covid-19 infection and subsequent pathology are caused by low dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) (© Copyright 2020, James Michael Howard, Fayetteville, Arkansas). It is already known that DHEA provides protection from pathogenic viruses. In this study it was shown that DHEA protects mice against WNV, SVNI and SFV lethal infection. (Arch Virol. 1991;120(3-4):263-71. doi: 10.1007/BF01310481.) Furthermore, while I think testosterone evolved to increase intracellular DHEA in humans, disturbances in the ratio of testosterone to DHEA,either way, can reduce effects of DHEA. High testosterone and aging both significantly reduce effects of DHEA. Low DHEA results in increased cytokine production; re “cytokine storm.” A number of “treatments” for Covid-19 can be demonstrated to reduce testosterone, that is, reduce the negative effects of testosterone on DHEA. Dexamethasone reduces testosterone. I think explanations regarding “androgens” in Covid-19 can be more precise.
Competing Interests: None declared.
