The probable mechanism of reduced androgen level in COVID-19 patients

COVID-19, caused by the SARS-CoV-2, has challenged the health care systems of the world. Although the pulmonary complications of the infection have received extensive attention, addressing the other complications (e.g., changes in androgen levels) could further provide a more efficient understanding of the disease, which might aid in combating it. Since the association between androgens and the expression and activity of SARS-CoV-2 receptors has been proven and anti-androgen-based therapies have been considered in this regard, addressing various aspects of androgen level changes can be constructive. The present paper examines the possible mechanisms of changes in androgen levels by the virus. It seems that the infection of the gonads by the SARS-CoV-2 could reduce the androgen levels by affecting different cellular pathways.

EFFECT OF VITAMIN D SUPPLEMENTATION ON INSULIN SENSITIVITY AND ANDROGEN LEVEL IN VITAMIN D-DEFICIENT POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME PATIENTS

Objectives: There is limited evidence that giving Vitamin D supplementation had a beneficial effect on insulin resistance and dysfunction of the menstrual cycle in females with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Thus, the aim of the present study is to evaluate the effect of Vitamin D supplementation on insulin sensitivity and androgen level in Iraqi females with PCOS.Methods: A randomized, blinded clinical trial design studied 60 Iraqi females with PCOS referring to the women’s counseling, outpatients at maternity and pediatrics teaching hospital in AL-Qadisiyah city, Iraq, and private clinic. Non-probabilistic sampling involved women aged from 18 to 45 years established on inclusion criteria. The patients’ basic data have been recorded. Then, we measured Vitamin D, testosterone level, and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) test to all females. After the diagnosis of Vitamin D deficiency, Vitamin D was administering at 5000 units daily for 8 weeks. All data were remeasured after 2 months.Result: A total of 60 patients with polycystic syndrome enrolled in the study, age range from 18 to 39 years, mean age 27.48±5.95 years. The metabolic parameter have been checked at the beginning of the study, which include Vitamin D level 16.1±5.6, impaired glucose test reading 8.8±0.7 and testosterone level 4.5±0.64.. After 2 months of supplementation, there were 83.7% of patients reach the normal level of Vitamin D and 16.3% still had a low level of Vitamin D (p≤0.002) between two groups. In regard to IGT test after 2 months of supplementation, there were 51.6% of patients still who had impaired test while 48.4% reach the normal reading (p≤0.001).Conclusions: Women with PCOS have a statically significant low level of Vitamin D in mean, IGT test in the mean, and high level of testosterone, and there were inverse correlations between Vitamin D with IGT and testosterone.

Therapeutic effectiveness of rat bone marrow stem cells in Poly Cystic Ovary Syndrome Mice Model on folliculogenesis, TGF-β, GDF-9 expression, and estrogen, TNF- and androgen Levels

Objectives: to identify therapeutic effectiveness of Rat Bone Marrow stem cell in PCOS rats model on folliculogenesis, TGF-beta and GDF-9 expression and on estrogen, TNF-a and androgen levels.Material and Methods: this study is a laboratory experimental research with using animal testing. PCOS was induced by the administration of testosterone propionate hormone into 30 mice. The subjects of this study are divided into 2 groups: stem cell group and control group. The mice were injected with testosterone then vaginal swab was performed to determine the mice cycle. After determining mice in anestrous cycle, stem cell was injected. TNF-a was measured with immunohistochemistry and androgen was examined using ELISA. The data was measured by student t-test.Result: The average number of TNF-a expression in control group was lower than stem cell group (5.35 vs 2.34; p= 0.0026). The average androgen level for stem cell group was lower than mean for control group (2.31 vs 0.40; p= 0.0026).Conclusion: In this study of polycystic model mice, stem cell decreased the expression of TNF-a and androgen level

Possible Spironolactone Induced Intracranial Hypertension in a Patient with Androgenetic Alopecia: A Case Report

Spironolactone is a well-known drug with many indications. In dermatology, it may be used for treating androgenetic alopecia with a high androgen level. A patient with idiopathic papilledema that was inactive for many years experienced a significant increase in intracranial pressure after receiving spironolactone. The symptoms were resolved soon after the medication was discontinued. This report draws physicians’ attention to such rare adverse events that may have unwanted consequences.

Theurapeutic effectiveness of rat bone marrow stem cells in Poly Cystic Ovary Syndrome Mice Model on folliculogenesis, TGF-β, GDF-9 expression, and estrogen, TNF- and androgen Levels

Objectives: to identify therapeutic effectiveness of Rat Bone Marrow stem cell in PCOS rats model on folliculogenesis, TGF-beta and GDF-9 expression and on estrogen, TNF-a and androgen levels.Material and Methods: this study is a laboratory experimental research with using animal testing. PCOS was induced by the administration of testosterone propionate hormone into 30 mice. The subjects of this study are divided into 2 groups: stem cell group and control group. The mice were injected with testosterone then vaginal swab was performed to determine the mice cycle. After determining mice in anestrous cycle, stem cell was injected. TNF-a was measured with immunohistochemistry and androgen was examined using ELISA. The data was measured by student t-test.Result: The average number of TNF-a expression in control group was lower than stem cell group (5.35 vs 2.34; p= 0.0026). The average androgen level for stem cell group was lower than mean for control group (2.31 vs 0.40; p= 0.0026).Conclusion: In this study of polycystic model mice, stem cell decreased the expression of TNF-a and androgen level