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ANKARA
Men have more than one enzyme that the new coronavirus uses to infect healthy cells, a recent study revealed Monday.
According to the study published in the European Heart Journal, the coronavirus uses molecules known as angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) to infect cells and replicate, with more of this enzyme found in the blood of men than in women.
This, the scientists say, could explain why more men suffer from the COVID-19 outbreak than women.
Previous studies have shown that ACE2, found in lung cells, as well as in the heart and kidneys, is the entry point where the coronavirus infiltrates into human cells.
The researchers analyzed ACE2 concentrations in blood samples taken from two groups of heart failure patients from 11 European countries.
The study also found that heart failure patients taking medications such as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) did not have higher concentrations of ACE2 in the blood.
After originating in Wuhan, China last December, the new coronavirus has killed some 283,400 people worldwide, with more than 4.13 million infections, while recoveries exceed 1.42 million, according to compiled figures. from Johns Hopkins University, based in the United States.
Most countries observed higher mortality rates from the virus among men than among women.
According to the Global Health 50/50 research group, which collects official data from more than 30 countries, men are 50% more likely to die from the coronavirus than women.
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