Protective Effects of CVD and DM Medications in SARS-CoV-2 Infection

• Published in: SN comprehensive clinical medicine 2020, Vol.2 (9), p.1296-1298
• Main Authors: Bangi, Shifa, Barve, Rajas, Qamar, Amna
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Covid-19; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Topical Collection on COVID-19
• ISSN: 2523-8973; 2523-8973
• DOI: 10.1007/s42399-020-00452-4

Despite the burden of disease of CVD and DM, there is a lack of experimentally validated literature exploring their association with exacerbation of COVID-19. Target receptors of medications commonly used to treat CVD and DM may be involved in the viral entry mechanism of SARS-CoV-2. We propose the potential protective effects of these medications in COVID-19 infections, highlighting the need for further research. Firstly, AMPK mediated phosphorylation of ACE-2 by metformin as well as the drug’s alkaline properties may interrupt the natural disease progression. Secondly, DPP4 receptor involvement in the putative viral entry of SARS-CoV-2 may be prevented by DPP4i. Finally, recent studies have shown that statins’ ability to inhibit the cytokine storm may outweigh concerns of statin mediated ACE-2 upregulation in COVID-19. The complex interplay of factors affecting CVD and DM in COVID-19 patients makes the direct effects of medications difficult to examine. Therefore, further research is needed, in the context of SARS-CoV-2 and the molecular pathways it exploits, to potentially repurpose such pre-existing drugs for their use in COVID-19.