In the latest issue of the Journal of Proteome Research, Chinese scientists are reporting that the discovery of unusual liver proteins, found only in males, may cause hepatitis B (HBV) infection to be more severe in men than women.
In experiments in laboratory mice, researchers found abnormal forms of apolopoprotein A-1 (Apo A-1), a protein whose function is to fight inflammation, in the livers of infected male mice but not infected female mice.
These Apo A-1 proteins have been found in the blood of men with HBV, but not in women.
The Chinese researchers note that chronic HBV progresses and cause liver damage faster in men. Men are more likely to suffer from HBV’s most serious complications- cirrhosis and liver cancer.
Hepatitis B is a highly infectious agent and can be transmitted through blood, saliva and sexual contact.
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