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closeCOVID-19 Infection and Subsequent Pathology may be Caused by low Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)
Posted by jamesmhoward on 27 Aug 2020 at 08:56 GMT
It is my hypothesis that COVID-19 infection and subsequent pathology are caused by low dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). It is known that DHEA protects against a number of pathogenic viruses. ("Protection by dehydroepiandrosterone in mice infected with viral encephalitis." Arch Virol
. 1991;120(3-4):263-71. doi: 10.1007/BF01310481). Based on my explanation of human evolution, I submit testosterone increases DHEA activity; these two hormones work together. I think mammalian evolution occurred because of selection for DHEA; human evolution occurred because of selection for positive effects of testosterone on DHEA activity. Disruptions of the ratio can cause reduced DHEA activity, especially when DHEA levels naturally decline during aging. Both reduced and increased testosterone to DHEA ratios can cause reduced DHEA activity in all tissues.
This may explain why males and blacks, who produce more testosterone, exhibit increased COVID-19 infection and why children exhibit less. Aging of both androgens will increase infection rates. The report of Ssentongo, et al., is an example of multiple comorbidities also caused by low DHEA, along with increased cytokines which increase in low DHEA situations. If the foregoing is correct, one should understand that high testosterone prior to aging and low testosterone in aging can both increase the probability of COVID-19 infection and patholgoy by reducing DHEA.
"Hormones in Mammalian Evolution," Rivista di Biologia / Biology Forum 2001; 94: 177-184. If your library does not subscribe to "Rivista ... ," you may find this at: http://anthropogeny.com/H... .
"Androgens in Human Evolution," Rivista di Biologia / Biology Forum 2001; 94: 345-362. If your library does not subscribe to "Rivista ... ," you may find this at: http://anthropogeny.com/A... where you may also see a chart of testosterone in humans and great apes which directly supports my hypothesis and was reported in the literature 2 years later.